Maverick Viñales clinched the pole position in the Valencia MotoGP Grand Prix in commanding fashion, setting a new lap record at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. As for the title contenders, Francesco Bagnaia will start from second, and Jorge Martín from sixth.
In the initial time attacks, Aprilia took the lead, with Viñales in first and Aleix Espargaró in second. Bagnaia (Ducati) started in eighth, and Martín (Pramac Racing/Ducati) in 11th.
The timesheets shifted with the second flying laps. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) took the lead, Martín climbed to second, and Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) moved into third, while Bagnaia dropped to 11th place.
About five minutes before the end, Bagnaia became the new frontrunner. But decisions were far from settled. Two minutes before the checkered flag, Viñales became the first rider to clock a time in the 1m28s range in circuit’s history, outpacing Bagnaia. Miller improved but was demoted to third.
Until the end, no one could overtake Viñales, securing the pole position. Bagnaia finished second, and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing/Ducati) in third. As for Martín, he couldn’t do better than sixth, lining up on the second row alongside Miller and Binder.
Q2 results:
Overall qualifying results: