MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix: Aleix Espargaro claims pole position, Jorge Martin starts in P7 after crash

Aleix Espargaro claimed an emotional pole position at the Catalunya Grand Prix in what is expected to be his final race at his home circuit in Barcelona.

The Aprilia Racing rider broke the lap record on his final lap to storm to the top spot with a qualifying time of 1:38.190, one day after he announced plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season.

Espargaro edged Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia, who was 0.031 seconds slower than the leader. Trackhouse Racing rider Raul Fernandez moved from seventh to third after his fastest qualifying lap was reinstated following the session, having initially been cancelled due to yellow flags.

Espargaro will lead the pack as he looks to finish on the podium for the first time this season, while Bagnaia and Fernandez make up the front row for Sunday’s race, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) set a rapid pace in Q1 to claim an all-time lap record and earn his place in Q2.  Fernandez joined Di Giannantonio in Q2, and in that session forced Gresini Racing pair Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez out as Bagnaia set the fastest time of 1:38.221.

Brad Binder (Red Bull Factory Racing) jumped to second before a calamitous finish to the session for Prima Pramac Racing, as two of their riders crashed out within seconds of each other as they pushed for a podium place.

Jorge Martin and Franco Morbidelli both fell at turn two, which brought out the yellow flags, leaving a window of opportunity for Espargaro to snatch pole position late on. Martin, the MotoGP championship leader, will start in P7 on Sunday.

Binder secured fourth place after dropping one following the conclusion of Fernandez’s lap being reinstated, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) - who turned 20 on Saturday - will start in the middle of the second row in fifth place.

Di Giannantonio finished qualifying with a lap strong enough for a sixth-place start on the grid, helped by his extremely fast time in Q1.

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