Marc Marquez impressive, qualifies in 5th after a crash; solid third-row start for Dani Pedrosa

Marc Marquez never ceases to impress. A close third-fastest in wet FP3, half a second clear in dry FP4, he set the fifth-fastest time in qualifying after a crash at turn 4 interrupted his first attempt. Marc suffered a blow to his shoulder but was able to quickly recover and mount his second bike to secure a good second-row start for tomorrow’s Valencia GP.

Dani Pedrosa was quite fast (6th) in the wet morning session but struggled a bit in the damp/dry afternoon. Nonetheless, he was ultimately able to earn a third-row start for the final GP of his racing career.

Marc Marquez
5TH 1’31.442
“Qualifying today was a bit unlucky as I crashed in the first right-hand corner on my first flying lap, and I soon felt something strange in my shoulder. Luckily, when I got back to my truck and tried a few movements, we realized it wasn’t that bad and I started to feel better. When the doctors arrived and checked it, it was all back in its place and I was ready to get back on my bike. I didn’t push as usual though, as it was better to stay on the bike! Only one tenth off the pole isn’t bad so tomorrow, race day, will be another day.”

Dani Pedrosa
9TH 1’32.140
“Today in the dry FP4 I had an issue with the bike’s setup that we weren’t able to adjust before qualifying, so I went out still struggling a bit. I did my best but didn’t manage to get a better position for tomorrow. If it rains tomorrow track conditions will be the key, as whether there’s a lot or a little water on the asphalt will affect the feeling a lot. This morning I ultimately found a good feeling in the wet, but it took me a long time. So let’s wait and see how the weather is and see what we can do tomorrow.”