Fabio Quartararo has scored a resounding fourth pole in a row this season.
He will start this Sunday ahead of his compatriot Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac), third in qualifying on the Mugello circuit on Saturday.
The Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) will start between the two Frenchmen on the front row, for the sixth race of 2021.
“It's the best lap I've done in my life,” exclaimed Quartararo as he got off the bike, after setting the absolute lap record on the Italian circuit to 1'45''187 / 1000 ( against 1'45''456 / 1000 for Bagnaia previously). The 22-year-old rider dedicated his pole to the Swiss Jason Dupasquier, victim of a worrying accident at the very end of qualifying in the Moto3 category. Dupasquier, 19, crashed at the exit of the Arrabiata 2 turn and appeared to be hit by a motorcycle before sliding down the track, seemingly lifeless. He remained on the ground for about forty minutes, treated by a team of rescuers, before being taken to the hospital in Florence for examinations. “I pray for him,” Quartararo added. The Japanese Ayumu Sasaki and theSpaniard Jeremy Alcoba were also involved in the crash but they "are doing well", organizers said.
In the premier class, the second row goes to Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), Australian Jack Miller (Ducati), winner of the last two races, and South African Brad Binder (KTM).
Sign that the Austrian brand is starting to get out of its difficulties at the start of the season, Binder's teammate, the Portuguese Miguel Oliveira, signed the seventh fastest time, ahead of the Suzuki of the Spaniards Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
Among the headliners, the Spaniard Marc Marquez (Honda), who has not yet regained his level after a long absence due to injury, is eleventh.
His compatriot Maverick Vinales (Yamaha), who became a father this week, will start 13th.
The poor performances are linked for the Italian national hero Valentino Rossi (Yamaha-SRT), only 19th.
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