Nothing stops him. A week after a dream weekend (pole position and first victory of his career), Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha SRT) took the eighth pole position of his career this Saturday and will start on the front row to seek a second victory in a row on the Jerez circuit this Sunday. He is ahead of his future teammate, Mavarick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati). With these results, Yamaha positions its four motorcycles in the first six places. The other Frenchman on the grid, Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing), will start 15th.
The 21-year-old French prodigy edged out Maverick Vinales in great form. Second in the Jerez Grand Prix last week and track record in free practice 3, the Spaniard almost stole pole on the wire. For a few seconds the first place on the starting grid went to Vinales, but his stopwatch was invalidated for having bitten into the green. The Andalusian Grand Prix therefore promises a duel at the top between the two men who drive the same machine.
All eyes were also on Marc Marquez. The pilot, who had an arm surgery last Tuesday, announced his package for the weekend at the end of qualifying. Marquez had created the surprise by returning to the circuits only four days after his operation. Last week he crashed heavily as he attempted a spectacular comeback with four laps to go. If the native of Cervera took part in the last two free practice, he gave up qualifying after a few laps.
Saturday was also complicated for his little brother, Alex Marquez, forced to retire at the end of Q1, following a crash. Like his brother, the Spaniard was hit in the right arm, but comes out unscathed. The drivers will start this Sunday at 2 p.m., on the Angel Nieto circuit, for the second Grand Prix of the season.
