JAKARTA - Francesco Bagnaia broke the Aragon Circuit lap record in the qualifying round to claim pole position of the Aragon Grand Prix as Ducati cleared the front row starting slot.
Bagnaia, who is in his best form and is eyeing a fifth win in a row, scored a time of 1:46.069 to grab pole from his team-mate Jack Miller with a difference of 0.090 seconds. Enea Bastianini of Gresini's team completed the front row in P3.
Meanwhile, Bagnaia, Aleix Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo's main rivals will start from the second row, according to the official MotoGP website, as quoted by Antara, September 18.
"I think this is my best lap. I've never done such a perfect lap. It's the best way to end Saturday, look into the race later. We are strong but Fabio is also strong, so starting from the front is an advantage." said Bagnaia.
Bagnaia arrived in Aragon with a margin of 30 points from Quartararo who holds the top of the standings with six races remaining.
Meanwhile, Espargaro, who is three points behind Bagnaia, finished P4 in front of Pramac team driver Johann Zarco as Quartararo will start his attack from P6.
Repsol Honda team rider Marc Marquez will start from P13 in his first race since the Italian GP last May. The world champion has eight times received the green light to return to race after in the last three months taking a break for a recovery after the fourth operation.
Suzuki racer Joan Mir decided to cancel his appearance in Aragon. After completing his third training session, the Spaniard decided to step down due to an ankle injury, which he found after falling at the Austrian GP last month, has not yet recovered.
Mir will also miss the race in Japan next week.
In the next three weeks, 75 points are maximumly contested when Aragon begins a triple-header series or three races in a row before Japan and Thailand.
Bagnaia arrived in Aragon with four fantastic wins, becoming the first driver to do so on a Ducati motorbike.
Italy's victory last year in Aragon will be additional capital in its efforts to suppress Quartararo, who has recently appeared less virulent.
Although Bagnaia is still 30 points behind Quartararo in the drivers' standings, Ducati has a chance to seal the constructors' title in Aragon. The Italian manufacturer is currently 110 points clear of Yamaha with six races remaining.
Meanwhile, Ducati Lenovo's team leads the team with a 25-point advantage over Aprilia Racing's team.
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