Potentially a preview to how today’s race will take shape, Jorge Martin began MotoGP warm-up by closely following world champion Fabio Quartararo.
Following a disastrous qualifying session, Marc Marquez came close to throwing his Repsol Honda down the road on just his third flying lap.
Marquez, who crashed twice during Q1, momentarily lost the rear coming out of turn ten which could have led to a massive highside. But thankfully for Marquez and his RC213V the eight-time world champion produced an impressive save.
He wasn’t so lucky the second time around…
While Marquez was struggling to find his rhythm, fellow Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami had no such issues as he led the way.
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A complete turnaround for the Japanese rider who qualified last for the first time since joining MotoGP.
Nakagami was then relegated to P2 as KTM’s Miguel Oliveira went fastest, a common theme so far this weekend.
In fact, Oliveira has spent sections of every session except Q2 in first place, something he’ll be hoping to replicate in the 27-lap race.
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After making a second bike swap in just 15 minutes, Marquez finally started to show the type of pace we saw on Friday, a level of performance that suggested he could fight for victory.
The Spaniard went second quickest before that turned into third as pole sitter Quartararo went top.
While things looked settled at the front, a huge crash for Marquez ensued…
Flirting with danger already once, Marc Marquez suffered by far the biggest of his four crashes so far this weekend.
After moving up to P3, Marquez began his latest lap with a red first sector, indicating he was pushing hard.
However, it turned out to be too hard as the special Michelin casing rear tire, which has been a problem for Marquez and team-mate Pol Espargaro all weekend, let go in massive fashion on the entry to turn seven.
Marquez was launched over the top of his RC213V as he suffered a landing that first saw the Spaniard stay down, before wobbling his way through the gravel.
After having time to compose himself, Marquez seemed to be ok and relatively unhurt, however, medical checks will without question be needed ahead of the race.
Out front, Quartararo remained fastest through to the checkered flag as he finished quickest from Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales.