Francesco Bagnaia not solely stormed to a vital pole place for the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP title showdown however towed Marc Marquez onto the entrance row.
Regardless of dealing with a 24-point deficit to Jorge Martin, Bagnaia has dominated out go-slow ways within the races – however hinted he would assist others with a slipstream in qualifying.
Marquez, simply eighth on Friday, took full benefit, shadowing Bagnaia for each Q2 runs.
The Gresini rider wasn’t alone and, at one stage, Bagnaia had pulled Marquez to second and Franco Morbidelli to 3rd.
Martin in the meantime acquired his help from good buddy Aleix Espargaro.
However whereas the Aprilia rider got here simply 0.055s in need of snatching pole from Bagnaia on his closing lap, Martin couldn’t do higher than fourth place, on the head of row two.
Bagnaia acknowledged his plan to tow others in parc ferme: “This weekend sure. I attempted to assist somebody yesterday. I attempted to assist somebody at this time. I have to put extra bikes between me and Jorge. In order that was the plan and it labored.
“He’s beginning 4th so it’s very shut however I’m completely satisfied total as a result of I feel we’re quick when it comes to tempo, we’re quick within the time assault, so we simply need to be centered and put together for this afternoon.”
Marquez was fast to acknowledge the help.
“We’re trustworthy on a regular basis and it’s not an actual entrance row, particularly as a result of I take the slipstream of Pecco,” stated the present Gresini rider and Bagnaia’s future team-mate.
“He is good and he wants riders between him and Martin. Yesterday I already perceive that he’ll push [even with other riders behind].
“As we see at this time, it was not solely me behind but in addition another riders within the first run after which Morbidelli within the second run, as a result of Pecco must do these items.
“He is super-fast, he’s driving in an excellent means and yeah, I used that slipstream to be on the entrance row. Let’s have a look at. However the goal for the race would be the prime 5.”
Aleix Espargaro, Francesco Bagnaia, 2024 Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP
The chink in Bagnaia’s plan got here within the type of Espargaro’s last-gasp second place.
The Spaniard shouldn’t be solely a menace for victory within the Dash, having gained the Might race, however prone to help future Aprilia rider Martin if the state of affairs arises.
“I attempted my finest,” Espargaro stated. “With the primary set of tyres, I felt extraordinarily unhealthy. I had some downside with the entrance and I lose the entrance 3 times.
“I used to be extraordinarily fortunate to not crash. And once I got here into the storage, I made a decision to alter the entrance, which is one thing that we by no means do within the qualifying.
“I began the second run with probably not excessive confidence, however instantly I felt that the bike was OK.
“I knew that he [Martin] was behind so tried to yeah, give my 100% do one of the best lap potential. With the delicate entrance I did not prefer it, however anyway I used to be in a position to put a 38. 6 which could be very quick.”
Martin wants to attain two-points greater than Bagnaia to safe the title this afternoon.
