Steps forward for the Repsol Honda Team in Spain go unrewarded as fine margins separate Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro from further gains on Saturday.

Conditions were again near ideal as Saturday’s action began at MotorLand Aragon, temperatures steadily rising as the brisk morning faded. It was straight to work for the Repsol Honda Team as both Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro attempted to set a top-ten time. A dramatic session saw Marquez’s magic elbow make a return as he saved a crash at the final corner. Unfortunately a second moment, this time at Turn 7, couldn’t be saved and the #93’s chances of a top ten were dashed. Pol Espargaro was able to improve his time, but the improvements were not enough, and he too would head into Q1.

Feeling no lasting impact from his earlier fall, Marquez was able to return to the track without consequence. A busy Free Practice 4 saw the eight-time World Champion work through several setting options with his team for the future. With good information found, he and the team prepared for their first Qualifying session since Mugello. Fast out of the gate, Marquez ended the first runs of the afternoon leading the way but a yellow flag on his ultimate lap of Q1 would end any chances of moving onto Q2. Set to line up 13th on the grid, Marquez’s 1’46.909 saw him miss out on a transfer spot by 0.340s.

Pol Espargaro’s complicated weekend in Aragon continued throughout Saturday, making improvements but constantly chasing the last half a second to join the fight for the top ten. A crash at Turn 5 towards the end of Q1 would add further complications to the day for the #44. Unharmed but unable to improve his time beyond a 1’47.511, Espargaro will line up 18th on the grid for Sunday’s race.

Sunday’s Aragon GP will take place over 23 laps when the lights go out at 14:00 Local Time. Round 15 starts the final push of the year, the end of the 2022 season in sight as the paddock prepares for six races in eight weeks.

Marc Marquez

13th 1'46.909

”FP3 was a bit of a complicated session and we had our first crash since returning, but there were still some positives. It was nice to make an amazing save like this again and then in the afternoon I was feeling better. In the mornings I am struggling to find the rhythm and ride well at the moment, but then we get better – it’s normal. I don’t have any target for the race, it’s only about seeing what we can do and how the body reacts after 23 laps. I am looking forward to it!”

Pol Espargaro

18th 1'47.511

“It was another difficult day today and we were chasing the grip again. The fall in Q1 hurt us because I think we could have gained some places if we finished this lap. Starting this far back always makes for a complicated race and especially here in Aragon the first few corners can be critical. Let’s see what we can do in the race, and let’s see how the grip is for the race.”

MotoGP 2022
Qualifying Round 15   Aragon

Aragon Grand Prix - Qualifying Results

Dry
Humidity
43%
Track Temp
40°C
Air Temp
23°C
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Bagnaia Francesco 62 ITA Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 1'46.069
2 Miller Jack 43 AUS Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 0.090
3 Bastianini Enea 23 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 0.244
4 Espargaro Aleix 41 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 0.521
5 Zarco Johann 5 FRA Pramac Racing Ducati 0.577
6 Quartararo Fabio 20 FRA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.733
7 Bezzecchi Marco 73 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 0.783
8 Martin Jorge 89 SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 0.842
9 Rins Alex 42 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 0.843
10 Binder Brad 33 RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 0.855
11 Oliveira Miguel 88 POR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 1.114
12 Nakagami Takaaki 30 JPN LCR Honda Honda 1.205
13 Marquez Marc 93 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.340 - Q1
14 Marini Luca 10 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 0.487
15 Di Giannantonio Fabio 49 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 0.550
16 Vinales Maverick 12 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 0.768
17 Marquez Alex 73 SPA LCR Honda Honda 0.920
18 Espargaro Pol 44 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.942
19 Crutchlow Cal 35 GBR WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 0.972
20 Morbidelli Franco 21 ITA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 1.082
21 Fernandez Raul SPA 1.102
22 Gardner Remy AUS 1.278
23 Binder Darryn 40 RSA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 2.740
Location Information

An ultra-modern facility, MotorLand Aragón had its roots firmly established thanks to a solid history of street racing in Alcañiz, which hosted events between 1963 and 2003. Safety advice warning against the continuation of this led to the proposal and construction of a sporting complex dedicated to motorsport. With support… read more.

Length 5.078 kilometres / 3.155 miles
Width 15 metres
Left corners 10
Right corners 7
Longest straight 0.968 kilometres / 0.601 miles
Constructed 2009

Motorland Aragón, Teruel, Spain - View in Google Maps

www.motorlandaragon.com

Records

Pole Position 1m 46.069s (172.3Km/h) Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati, 2022)
Race Lap 1m 47.795s (169.5Km/h) Luca Marini (Ducati, 2022)
Race Time 41m 35.462s (168.4 km/h) Enea Bastianini (Ducati, 2022)
2022 Race Winner Enea Bastianini (Ducati)