MotoGP 2020: Starting grid and preview for the Emilia Romagna and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix
September 19, 2020 02:08 MYT
Maverick Vinales has another golden opportunity to put himself firmly in the MotoGP title picture when he starts on pole at Misano on Sunday.
Vinales was on pole for the San Marino Grand Prix last time out but was unable to convert that position into a victory, finishing down in sixth.
The Spaniard is 18 points adrift of Andrea Dovizioso in a wide-open fight to replace the injured Marc Marquez as world champion.
However, he is in the prime spot to vault up the standings after an error by Francesco Bagnaia gave him pole for the Emilia Romagna and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix.
Yet the owner of the lap record at Misano cannot afford to take anything for granted ahead of what looks set to be a fascinating fight for the chequered flag.
WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING
Bagnaia should have been celebrating a maiden MotoGP pole - and another Misano lap record - having smashed the previous mark in FP3.
He crossed the line on his final flying lap in one minute and 30.973 seconds, a time that would have seen him top the timesheets.
However, he crucially exceeded the track limits on the final turn, an infraction that saw his lap struck off and both pole position and the record handed to Vinales.
Pole Position! #EmiliaRomagnaGP#MV12 #12gang #MonsterYamaha #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/B2L6ayxP5K
— Maverick Viñales (@mvkoficial12) September 19, 2020
Vinales will have Jack Miller and Fabio Quartararo for company on the front row, with Bagnaia dropping to fifth as a result of his error.
Championship leader Dovizioso heads the fourth row, with Franco Morbidelli - winner of the San Marino Grand Prix - sandwiched between Valentino Rossi and Danilo Petrucci on the third row.
THE STARTING GRID
1. Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha), 2. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), 3. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha)
EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX TALKING POINTS
The searing pace displayed by Bagnaia will be a topic of discussion despite his phenomenal last flying lap counting for nothing.
He and team-mate Miller will surely pose a significant threat to Vinales, though Quartararo is concerned about some of his title rivals positioned further back on the starting grid.
Joan Mir of Suzuki trails Dovizioso by 16 points, but he produced a disappointing display in Q2 and starts 11th. However, with Quartararo branding the Suzuki "a perfect bike", a charge through the field from Mir is not out of the question.
Inches between claiming pole or starting on the second row The moment that cost @PeccoBagnaia his maiden pole position #EmiliaRomagnaGP pic.twitter.com/AFpESZ1YFz
— MotoGP (@MotoGP) September 19, 2020
"Yes, I'm worried because they are fast in the straight, they are fast in acceleration to overtake people, they are so fast," Quartararo said on Thursday.
WHAT THE RIDERS SAID
Maverick Vinales (pole): "This weekend I tried to work always with a race setting. We make an improvement. Last weekend the bike always feels good without fuel but with fuel on the race I struggle a lot. This weekend we work a lot and it seems that we make an improvement. We wish it will work for the race."
Jack Miller (2nd): "When we got to Q2 I only had one tyre, so it was kind of a one-shot wonder. Anyway, we made it, not a bad qualifying, I was lucky to get the two off Pecco [Bagnaia]."
Fabio Quartararo (3rd): "Feeling great to be on the front row, that is really important. Our race pace is looking good. I'm happy because we have a good base for tomorrow."
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Riders
1. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 76
Teams
1. Petronas Yamaha 127