Sensational Suzuki Storm To Catalan 1-2

Jun 13, 2015
4 min read

Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vianles take Suzuki's first 1-2 in a MotoGP qualifying session in the team's eighth race since returning as manufacturer and their first pole since Chris Vermulen back in 2007 at the Dutch TT. Espargaro smashed the Barcelona-Catalunya lap record with a 1:40.456 on his final flying lap; so confident was the Spaniard that he and his GSX-RR had done enough that he backed off with over two-minutes to go.

Vinales found something in the closing seconds of the session to put his bike 2nd for his first MotoGP front row start in just his seventh race. Yes, the soft tyre definitely played a part in Suzuki's success, but this is a bike down on power and bear in mind that they set very fast times in practice on the medium tyre. Suzuki can, with just a bit of luck, win the 2015 Catalan Grand Prix.

The man who will most likely deny this fairytale result is Jorge Lorenzo. The Spaniard tried a three-stop strategy in qualifying as he'd saved a medium tyre to try and give himself the best chance of pole. On his first flying lap he went top instantly with a 1:41.008. Then, on his second lap, he went even quicker – 1:40.646, just seconds after Marc Marquez went top with a 1:40.794. Lorenzo failed to improve on his third lap and will start 3rd. Race pace in practice showed speed and consistency from the Yamaha rider, so everyone will have to step up a gear if they are to chase him down tomorrow.

Team-mate Valentino Rossi came into this weekend citing qualifying as the main order of business for improvement. 7th wasn't quite the improvement he'll have had in mind, but race pace does look a lot more promising. If he can nail the start, and hope that Lorenzo doesn't get the holeshot at the start, then the Italian may have a shot at the win he so desperately needs to build upon his 6-point gap.

The big unknown is Honda. Marc Marquez held pole briefly, and the new exhaust and minor electronic updates do seem to have resolved a few issues. But he could only manage 4th with Dani Pedrosa 6th after having to contest QP1. Unlike Mugello, the first qualifying session was a far more relaxing affair for the Repsol team. Marquez put in a decent long run in FP3, though not as good as Lorenzo's, and the RC213V has looked a bit fidgety through the corners. That may become accentuated as fuel drops and tyres wear in the race.

Cal Crutchlow was headed for second row start on the CWM LCR Honda before he crashed at turn ten, the front-end washing away you'd be surprised to hear...

Cal has looked strong this weekend so far, so 9th won't be disastrous for him; it's the bike that will cause the biggest headache. Compatriot Bradley Smith starts a few hundredths ahead in 8th, whilst his team-mate Pol Espargaro starts 11th after crashing at turn one late in the session.

Ducati have been the big surprise in Barcelona and not in a good way. Andrea Dovizioso, despite having the same concessions as the Suzuki duo, was only able to put his GP15 5th and half a second off of pole. Andrea Iannone struggled even more. The Italian had to contest QP1 and failed to lift himself out of 12th. Rear stability has been a big issue thus far and the team will need to dig deep in warm-up tomorrow morning to stand a chance at fighting for the podium.

Hector Barbera was close to denying the factory two GP15's in the pole shoot-out but can still be happy with 13th and top open honours on the Avintia Ducati. Marco Melandri was last of the qualifiers whilst AB Motoracing Honda's Karel Abraham was forced to sit the session out after sustaining a dislocated first tow on his left foot in an FP4 high side. It is unclear whether he will start the race.

Qualifying: The Grid

1st Aleix Espargaro, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:40.456

2nd Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki Ectsar, 1:40.629

3rd Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:40.646

4th Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:40.754

5th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:40.907

6th Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1:40.928

7th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:41.058

8th Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:41.068

9th Cal Crutchlow, CWM LCR Honda, 1:41.195

10th Yonny Hernandez, Octo Pramac Racing Ducati, 1:41.333

11th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:41.385