MotoGP: Bezzecchi and Martin in the Top 10 of qualifying tests in Indonesia, not Bagnaia

Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati-VR46) and Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) won their ticket for qualification (Q2) of the Indonesian GP at the end of qualifying practices dominated on Friday by Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), while the world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) will have to go through the repechage (Q1).

Bezzecchi, who set the third fastest time, performed prowess on the Mandalika circuit, just five days after having undergone surgery for a broken right collarbone.

Arriving only on Friday morning on the island of Lombok, the Italian was declared fit to participate in the Indonesian event, the 15th round out of 20 of the MotoGP season. He therefore took part in the first free practice session, during which he crashed at full speed in turn 11 of the circuit and landed in the gravel.

However, he managed to walk back to the pits alone and was then declared fit to take part in qualifying practice in the afternoon, where he held the lead before being overtaken by the two Aprilia riders, Espargaro and his compatriot Maverick Vinales, in the last minutes.

Participating in the Indonesian Grand Prix is ​​crucial for Bezzecchi, third in the MotoGP championship standings, 54 and 51 points behind Bagnaia and Martin respectively, and therefore still in the race for the world title with six races remaining in the season.

Martin, the man in good shape of the moment, took fifth place in qualifying behind South African Brad Binder (KTM) and therefore won his place for Q2 without trembling, just like his compatriot Marc Marquez ( Honda), sixth, the day after the officialization of his departure to Ducati-Gresini next season.

The Top 10 is completed by the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia-RNF), winner of the first Indonesian GP last year, the Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati-Gresini), currently without handlebars for next season, the Australian Jack Miller (KTM) and Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).

Second last year in Mandalika, the Niçois snatched his place at the last minute for Q2 after trembling at the end of the session.

The big surprise of the day came from the non-qualification of the championship leader, only 16th. Bagnaia, author of several errors including a crippling one in his last fast lap while he was on the verge of entering the Top 10, will have to, once in a while, achieve one of the two best times in Q1 to hope to fight in the process to secure one of the first twelve places on the grid during Q2.

The Transalpin will notably face his compatriots Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46), Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) and Enea Bastiannini (Ducati), the Spaniards Pol Espargaro (Gasgas Tech3) and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia-RNF) and the French Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), not at ease on Friday and who achieved the 13th time.

Spaniard Alex Marquez (Ducati-Gresini), who was making his comeback after breaking three ribs in India three weeks ago, withdrew for the rest of the weekend after completing 13 laps during free practice on Friday Morning. The pain was too much for the Catalan, who had to resolve to throw in the towel.

. Ranking of the qualifying practice session for the Indonesian MotoGP GP, held on Friday on the Mandalika circuit (4.3 km):

1. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) in 1:30.474

2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) at 0.154

3. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.170

4. Brad Binder (AFS/KTM) 0.288

5. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 0.400

6. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.632

7. Miguel Oliveira (POR/Aprilia-RNF) 0.725

8. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.733

9. Jack Miller (AUS/KTM) 0.742

10. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 0.755

...

13. Johann Zarco (FRA/Ducati-Pramac) at 0.983

...

16. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 1,161

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