Aleix Espargaro is currently second in the world championship. He proved that he is the strongest driver on the Catalonia track on Saturday, during qualifying. This Sunday’s “his” Grand Prix will see the Catalan start on pole. He was faster than the Italian Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati by just 0’031 and Quartararo, Yamaha by only 0’031 Espargaro is currently only eight points behind the Frenchman in this championship. Espargaro will have to be cautious of Johann Zarco, the Frenchman in the paddock who was 4th fastest but felt at ease on the bike.
Espargaro will still leave the competition with a psychological advantage. Granollers native Espargaro has been flying high above the competition since the beginning of the weekend, and during the first free practice. The track record was set by the local child, who finished first in Saturday’s third practice session. He then improved it in qualifying.
The poleman admitted that temperatures of more than 30 degrees were in the air, and 55 degrees on track.
The 32-year-old Spaniard has signed the fourth pole in his career. It is his second this season after Argentina in April. He then won his first win of his entire career in all categories. He will still be able to achieve the double in Catalonia. Espargaro will be able to ride with a 100% Ducati second-line, in addition to Bagnaia, Quartararo and Zarco. Zarco will also have the Italian Fabio di Giannantonio (Ducati–Gresini) and Jorge Martin, another Pramac rider.
