Qualifying, Australia: Martin dominates KTM/MotoGP drama

rain. That's also the keynote on Saturday morning on Phillip Island. But in another exciting scene, things started to dry up before the first qualifying round. So the first two kicks over 15 minutes were not just about courage and driving skills, but above all about perfect team strategy.

Here the Ducati factory team's routine prevailed on the drying track. With perfect timing, Enea Bastianini secured one of the two places in the second division. The still young Trackhouse Aprilia team was also impressive with Raul Fernandez, who set the fastest time in literally the last seconds.

The first quarter session was very bitter for Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller. The two RC16 drivers looked to be the certain winners in early qualifying – but in the final two minutes both drivers used up their tire powder. Acosta and Miller were passed on the final lap, as were Luca Marini and Johann Zarco.

Just a few minutes later, the search for the best starting positions for the Australian Grand Prix began. Thanks to his famous early aggressiveness, Pramac driver Jorge Martin set the first fastest time. But only “Martinator” eliminated Maverick Vinales. Surprisingly, the Aprilia driver managed the early lap at 1:27. Marc Marquez once again showed that he is fully awake in third place. Day 4 – Raul Fernandez who was undoubtedly able to capitalize on his laps from the first qualifying.

The grand finale began six minutes before the end. On the slope now completely dry, but with very brisk winds, eleven pilots went in search of the best times. Fabio Di Giannantonio fell to the ground while trying to set an early record. The VR46 Racing athlete was unable to continue in the second quarter.

In his first attempt to return to the lead, Jorge Martin narrowly avoided colliding with the front wheel, but the Spaniard advanced. With a time of 1:27.296 minutes, the No. 89 car was able to achieve the dream lap it had hoped to achieve three minutes before the end. The next first place went to the championship leader.

Maverick Viñales was also able to celebrate the next start from the front row with the Aprilia factory team taking second place. Marc Marquez showed once again that last year's Ducati was also great. The fastest driver on Friday had already lost 0.9 seconds to Martin.

Starting row 2 was also made up of two Ducati and Aprilia cars. Marco Bezzecchi managed to get into fourth place in the last attempt. In addition to “Biz” – world champion Pico Bagnaia and surprisingly fast Raul Fernandez.

Pramac's Franco Morbidelli was quick enough to finish seventh, and Alex Marquez was just 0.1 seconds slower than his brother Marc yesterday, and was only eighth in Q2. Gresini Ducati starts second in the sprint and overall races alongside the best Yamaha under Alex Rins.

Sprint Saturday started off disappointingly for KTM. Brad Bender, who was the only RC16 rider to make the top 12, was unable to put in a lap as fast as Enea Bastianini. Factory drivers have to attack from row 4.

The fact that the 4.45 km race course was not in perfect condition was proven by today's significant time gaps. Behind the brave Jorge Martin, Pico Bagnaia in fifth lost almost 1.2 seconds – and the second-place factory Ducati lost an impressive 2.7 seconds.

MotoGP 2 Qualifying Results Phillip Island, (19 October)

1. Jorge Martin (E) Ducati, 1:27.296 minutes
2. Maverick Viñales (E) Aprilia +0.695 seconds
3. Marc Marquez (E), Ducati, +0.906
4. Marco Bezzecchi (I), Ducati +1,079
5. Francesco Bagnaia (first) Ducati +1,182
6. Raul Fernandez (E) Aprilia +1,202
7. Franco Morbidelli (I), Ducati +1.326
8. Alex Marquez (E), Ducati +1,713
9. Alex Rins (E) Yamaha +1,763
10. Enea Bastianini (first) Ducati +2700
11. Brad Binder (ZA) KTM +2,994
12. Fabio Di Giannantonio (I) +3,040

MotoGP 1 Qualifying Results Phillip Island, (19 October)

1. Raul Fernandez (E) Aprilia +1:29.397 min
2. Ena Bastianini (first) Ducati +0.148 seconds
3. Luca Marini (I), Honda +0.330
4. Johann Zarco (F) Honda +0.389
5. Pedro Acosta (E) KTM, +0.420
6. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM +0.512
7. Augusto Fernandez (E) KTM, +0.752
8. Joan Mir (E), Honda +1,051
9. Fabio Quartararo (F) Yamaha +1,238
10. Aleix Espargaro (E) Aprilia +2,411
11. Takaaki Nakagami (J) Honda +2,438
12. Lorenzo Savadori (I), Aprilia +2816