Marquez Continues Dominance at Aragon GP Qualifying
Marc Marquez continues to showcase his dominance at the MotorLand Aragon circuit by securing his second MotoGP pole position of the season on the Ducati GP23. The 31-year-old rider has been leading the way in all four sessions of the Aragon Grand Prix, solidifying his position as the favorite for both the sprint and the 12th race of the season scheduled for Sunday.
The challenging weather conditions at MotorLand Aragon added an extra layer of excitement to the qualifying sessions, with thunderstorms creating wet and damp tracks for all classes on Saturday morning. However, as the skies cleared and the sunshine dried the asphalt, riders were presented with a different set of challenges to navigate.
Gresini rider Marquez proved to be the man to beat at a venue where he has previously enjoyed considerable success, having won five times and scored seven poles since MotoGP first graced the circuit in 2010. His impressive performance in Q2 saw him set a blistering pace that put him a significant 0.8 seconds ahead of Tech3’s Pedro Acosta, a standout MotoGP rookie who secured a spot on the front row for only the second time in 2024. Marquez’s teammate for 2025, Francesco Bagnaia, rounded out the top three on the grid.
Reflecting on his pole position, Marquez expressed his satisfaction with his performance but also emphasized the need to maintain focus and consistency. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the slippery track conditions, highlighting the importance of avoiding mistakes in such conditions.
Reigning world champion Bagnaia commended Marquez for his ability to navigate the damp track effectively, allowing him to build a substantial lead over his competitors. Bagnaia noted Marquez’s unconventional approach and line choices, which contributed to his impressive margin in qualifying.
Despite his earlier success in the season, Bagnaia faced a setback during qualifying as he crashed on the approach to Turn 5 in the first minute of Q2. However, he managed to recover and secure the fourth spot on the grid, leading the second row ahead of Alex Marquez and teammate Franco Morbidelli. With five Ducatis occupying the top six grid slots, the Italian manufacturer demonstrated its strength at the Aragon Grand Prix.
The third row of the grid featured KTM’s Brad Binder in seventh position, closely followed by Trackhouse Racing duo Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira. LCR’s Johann Zarco provided a glimmer of hope for Honda by making it into Q2 on his Honda RC213V, marking the first time the bike had featured in the second part of qualifying in 2024. Zarco rounded out the top ten, showcasing the potential for improvement for the Honda team.
Enea Bastianini, who has shown impressive form in recent races with a victory at the British Grand Prix and three podium finishes in the last four rounds, faced challenges during qualifying. Despite his earlier successes, Bastianini struggled to put together a competitive lap in Q1 and was ultimately classified in 14th position.
The qualifying results set the stage for an exciting race at the Aragon Grand Prix, with Marquez poised to continue his dominance on race day. As the riders prepare to battle it out on the track, fans can expect thrilling competition and strategic maneuvers as they vie for victory in the 12th race of the MotoGP season.
Summary
In summary, Marc Marquez’s impressive performance in qualifying at the Aragon Grand Prix highlights his continued dominance at the MotorLand Aragon circuit. With a commanding lead over his competitors, Marquez is well-positioned to clinch victory in the upcoming race. The challenging weather conditions and competitive field of riders add an element of unpredictability to the race, promising an exciting and action-packed event for fans and enthusiasts alike. As the riders prepare to do battle on the track, all eyes will be on Marquez as he aims to extend his lead in the MotoGP championship standings.