Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Marco Bezzecchi again stunned the Spanish crowd at Aragon by beating home favourite Marc Marquez to pole position.
The Aprilia rider set another track record with a 1'44.962, ahead of Marquez and younger brother Alex, the same top three as in Friday's timed practice.
The result comes as another huge surprise in the title race, with Bezzecchi previously sinking in the standings with a four-race pointless streak.
There is a caveat, though - one of Marquez’s timed runs appeared to be interrupted by VR46 rider Franco Morbidelli, who caused the nine-time champion to sit up and abandon a late attack.
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Championship leader Jorge Martin could only muster fifth, behind the most recent race winner, Raul Fernandez, in fourth.
Pos.
No.
Rider
Time/Gap
1
72
Marco Bezzecchi
1:44.962
2
93
Marc Marquez
+0.089
3
73
Alex Marquez
+0.299
4
25
Raul Fernandez
+0.413
5
89
Jorge Martin
+0.474
6
37
Pedro Acosta
+0.593
7
49
Fabio Di Giannantonio
+0.653
8
63
Francesco Bagnaia
+0.709
9
5
Johann Zarco
+0.821
10
11
Diogo Moreira
+0.840
11
54
Fermin Aldeguer
+0.930
12
21
Franco Morbidelli
+0.957
ELIMINATED IN Q1
13
43
Jack Miller
1:45.959
14
33
Brad Binder
1:45.998
15
36
Joan Mir
1:46.026
16
23
Enea Bastianini
1:46.096
17
20
Fabio Quartararo
1:46.131
18
10
Luca Marini
1:46.211
19
42
Alex Rins
1:46.322
20
44
Pol Espargaro
1:46.384
21
7
Toprak Razgatlioglu
1:46.549
22
32
Lorenzo Savadori
1:47.388
There were impressive performances elsewhere, as Johann Zarco put his LCR Honda ninth upon his return from a six-race injury absence. Francesco Bagnaia also emerged from Q1 to climb up to eighth.
But Bezzecchi will undoubtedly be the story of the day, not just for topping the timesheets at a Marquez favourite, but doing so through injury.
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The Italian suffered a collarbone break and knee damage in Germany and is still struggling with the latter.
Speaking after topping Friday practice, he told MotoGP.com: "It was a positive day, I felt good since this morning and then in the sessions we worked well and I was able to make a step in terms of settings and riding.
"My riding still I have places to adjust, but I can't complain too much, it was a decent day, physically I'm still struggling with my knee.
"It's the biggest problem because here there is a lot on the left [left-handed corners], the left part of my body is struggling a bit, the shoulder is painful, but I can manage.
"The knee is more painful, so I'm a bit worried, it's going to be a long weekend, hopefully we can save the situation with the physio."
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