14:10
Bezzecchi is also out
The best rookie of the season slides into the gravel bed on the inner part of the track.
14:08
Little action at the top
But the battle for sixth place is in full swing. Joan Mir and Luca Marini are constantly at odds. However, Mir has to give up a position right away, as he overtook under yellow flags.
14:06
Still no all-clear for Nakagami
At first glance, Álex Rins’ fall looks much worse. The Spaniard is thrown through the air, but at least lands on his ass. Nakagami, on the other hand, comes down sights first.
14:05
Interim result after three rounds
Fabio Quartararo has now gained a one-second lead at the front. Jorge Martín and Aleix Espargaró form a group of two, before another second behind Johann Zarco is on his own.
14:05
Stefan Bradl falls too!
Meanwhile, Pecco Bagnaia got back on the bike, but of course he’s far behind the field.
14:04
catch-ups
Joan Mir has meanwhile made up eleven places and is in sixth place. Darryn Binder has advanced ten places and is 13th in the points.
14:02
triple fall!
Also in the first corner, Pecco Bagnaia, Álex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami crash. It’s the Japanese who slips away, catches Bagnaia’s bike on the rear wheel and clears Rins from the front. Luckily nobody seems to have been injured.
13:59
It starts!
Aleix Espargaró gets off to a good start and actually stays in front on the straight. However, Fabio Quartararo hits the brakes very late and slides into the inside of the first corner!
13:53
Sunshine in Montmelo
20 kilometers north of Barcelona there is the best weather, at least for the spectators. With an air temperature of 27 degrees, the pilots will definitely work up a sweat.
13:43
Marc Marquez not there
The six-time world champion underwent another operation on his upper arm during the week due to a deformity and will now concentrate fully on his rehabilitation. Stefan Bradl from Augsburg takes his place. However, parts of Márquez’s bike will go to Idemitsu rider Takaaki Nakagami and not to teammate Pol Espargaró as expected, which is why he was a little snubbed.
13:32
Also the championship leader in the front row
Behind Aleix, Pecco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo line up on the front row of the grid. Johann Zarco, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Jorge Martín will start from row two. Álex Rins, Maverick Viñales, Luca Marini and Pol Espargaró complete the top ten. Behind them are Miller, Nakagami, Bezzecchi, Bastianini, Brad Binder, Oliveira, Mir, Morbidelli, Dovizioso, Gardner, Bradl, Pirro, Darryn Binder, Raúl Fernández and Álex Márquez.
13:28
Local hero on pole
Aleix Espargaró grew up in Granollers, just four kilometers as the crow flies north of the circuit, and is now on pole for the first time at his local GP. The 32-year-old is experiencing his second spring, has recently finished third four times in a row and is the closest pursuer of Fabio Quartararo in the World Drivers’ Championship. He also set a new all-time lap record with his pole lap yesterday.
Warm welcome!
Hello and welcome to the Catalan Grand Prix. At 2:00 p.m. the next World Cup points in the 2022 season are at stake.