Sensational Viñales takes second pole position of the season
Maverick Viñales has taken the pole position for the second consecutive Grand Prix at a track that was completely unknown to him. Sergio Gadea, meanwhile, is ranked ninth and will start from the third row after crashed when hitting a puddle shortly after qualifying started.
Initially laptimes were done in wet conditions, some rain has fallen to just after the start, but with about 15 minutes to go the sun came out, the track dried and all pilots put on slick tyres for one of the most spectacular qualifying sessions in a long time, almost like a race with the classification changing constantly and all riders doing their to take advantage of the dry track and achieve the best time before the rain might come again.
MAVERICK 25 VIÑALES (Pole position, 1’44 .597) “I am very happy with this new pole position and I dedicate it to the team which is doing a phenomenal job. We have adapted very well to this circuit and I think we made good allround session and we are going very fast. We made a mini race with Zarco, I did a few laps behind him and he taught me some good lines I lacked on this circuit that was new to me and I hope we can take advantage of that in tomorrow’s race. We have all very clear and I hope the weather is with us to enjoy a good race. The goal is to start first and I think we have a chance to get it, but we can not rely on it and I give my best and stay focused. This second consecutive pole position means we are doing good work, we adapt well to changing conditions and we adapt quickly to new tracks, which is a great advantage.”
33 Sergio Gadea (9° 1’46 .204, +1’607): “The weekend was going quite well, but once again in the qualifying I didn’t have any luck and in the first lap I crashed after hidding a puddle of water. I’ve lost important time of the session and I’m not happy with the result, because it is not where we belong. Things had been a little better and despite the ever-changing circumstances that we found here, I was a bit more constantly at the front, but we did not finish finding what we need. I have a clear conscience because we are giving everything, but I am frustrated. I hope the race is dry, but the important thing is to push, do your best and try to finish as far in front as possible.”
Source: Team BQR