The Barcelona Solidarity GP qualifying is complete and the reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia leaves no pin unchanged in terms of the results. He set the fastest lap time ahead of Championship leader Jorge Martin who only managed to finish P4.
Champion on Fire
🔥 @PeccoBagnaia with a 1:38.641
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 16, 2024
Provisional pole consolidated with less than 2 minutes to go 👀#SolidarityGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/0Qu9fEzAPE
The Catalunya circuit in Barcelona is one of the hardest places to race as it has very tight corners, especially in Turn 5 where many riders struggled throughout the race. But the champion was very committed to extending his fight with Martin to the main race as he outpaced his rival and set the fastest lap time of 1.38.641s which is two-tenth of a second ahead of Martin's lap time. He is followed by the outgoing rider Aleix Espargaro in second and Gresini Racing team rider Marc Marquez in third.
Also read: MotoGP Championship chances between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia - Explained
Qualifying results
🥊 @PeccoBagnaia strikes first on Saturday!
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 16, 2024
He takes a beyond CRUCIAL pole in Barcelona as @88jorgemartin settles for 4th on the grid ⚔️#SolidarityGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/AeUYJcjMKy
The prima Pramac Racing team rider Jorge Martin completed his session finishing in fourth while his teammate F.Morbidelli finished behind him in fifth. Red Bull Gas Gas Tech 3 rider Pedro Acosta finished in sixth while Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales finished in seventh.
The top 3 on the time sheets!
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 16, 2024
1️⃣ @PeccoBagnaia
2️⃣ @marcmarquez93
3️⃣ @88jorgemartin #SolidarityGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/zg77QLsH5V
Ducati rider and Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini could manage only P8 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo in P9 and P10. The last two spots were occupied by Grasini racing riders Alex Marquez and Johann Zarco at P11 and P12.
ALSO WATCH: High-octane crashes of Pedro Acosta and Francesco Bagnaia in MotoGP Barcelona FP1
The Final race of the MotoGP season has turned many eyes as we still don't know who will emerge as champion. It could be either Francesco Bagnaia retaining his third title or Jorge Martin winning his first-ever MotoGP world championship in front of his home crowd in his home country.
Jorge Martin could be the new world champion in the Sprint race itself. There are many possibilities, the key thing here is the Spaniard should finish ahead of Jorge Martin to clinch his championship today. The reigning champion must hold his qualifying position throughout the sprint race and continue that to the main race to retain his MotoGP title.