Jorger Martin in the arms of Pramac Ducati team mate Johann Zarco (right) – the Ducati works team with Miller and Bagnaia defeated and qualified for the front row.

Pramac Ducati embarrassed the factory team again – Viñale’s only Yamaha in row 1

It was extremely tight in Q1 when, in the very last minute, Miguel Oliveira on the only KTM pushed past Luca Marini by 8 thousandths. The reigning world champion Joan Mir was the fastest and thus made it into the second qualifying together with the Portuguese. However, there was no more than the last place for this one, which means that all KTMs will start again in the rear half. Things didn’t go much better for Honda when only Bradl made it straight into Q2 and was only penultimate here. There was the most jubilation at Ducati, but not for the new works team with Miller and Bagnaia, but thanks to Martin and Zarco for the Reds’ Pramac Racing customer team.

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati Racing) – second best on the first weekend and second best in qualifying. As we already emphasized in winter, a very hot candidate for the top spots. The French can be trusted a lot again on the second weekend in Qatar.

Who are the most dangerous drivers for on Sunday?
According to pole setter Jorge Martin at the press conference, he does not count himself among the podium candidates, but wants to fight for the top 6. Nevertheless, the young Spaniard belongs just as much as his compatriot Viñales, teammate Zarco, the two factory Ducatis with Miller and Bagnaia, and of course the two Suzukis. In addition, the two Yamaha riders Quartararo and Morbidelli should not be underestimated, while Aleix Espargaró still seems to be missing a bit at the Aprilia to be at the forefront. According to Johann Zarco, a lot will also depend on the right strategy. As he emphasized at the PK, this is completely different from the hunt for a fast lap. Like Valentino Rossi in the past, the French is considered to be one of the strongest drivers on sagging tires. But he is definitely only one of around 8 to 10 drivers who are likely to be considered for victory or at least a podium.

Brad Binder (KTM) has little to smile about at the moment – the South African was anything but satisfied with row 6, but his handicap is clearly the orange bike and not his driving ability. Without their test advantage like last year and Pol Espargaró, the drivers of the Austrian team are going through tough times.

The qualifying of Moto2 and Moto3

In Moto3 as in Moto2, the respective opening winner came to pole position. Jaume Masia and Sam Lowes showed no nakedness and stayed cool despite the adverse conditions, which means that they will start the race from the best possible position in their class. For the Spaniard, however, this hardly means that he can break away from his opponents shortly after the start, like the Englishman. While Sam Lowes was in a class of his own on the first weekend and hurried away from the rest of the field early on, Masia will have to fight with a knife between his teeth just to get onto the podium. Below is the starting grid for Moto2.

The starting order of Moto3

Schedule for the second weekend in Qatar

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