MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

In a repeat of pretty much every other session in the intermediate class, the top positions looked reserved for the likes of Marcel Schrotter – the provisional poleman throughout the session – and Alex Marquez, who picked up the baton in the final 13 minutes. But the final gong was Fabio Quartararo putting in a stunning lap with three minutes left on the clock to take his first pole position in the class on the equally beautiful Speed Up machine. Red was clearly the colour of the day. Marquez ended the session a tenth behind the Frenchman, with Schrotter filling in the front row of the grid.

Pecco Bagnaia did not look like a threat for pole but his cautious approach earned him fourth spot, ahead of Brad Binder, who outclassed his teammate by a long way. A welcome addition to the second row was Mattia Pasini, the Italian finally finding his way into the top positions after a wobbly couple of sessions.

Xavi Vierge was the first victim of the late time attack rush and crashed out in turn one while running sixth. Luckily for him, the mistake only cost him one position. Joan Mir ended qualifying eighth, half a second down on his teammate and just ahead of Sam Lowes on the third row of the grid.

Lorenzo Baldassarri had a tough start to his session with a crash in turn 12 only ten minutes after the green flag waved but the Italian saved tenth position, sharing fourth row with Simone Corsi and Tetsuta Nagashima.

After an excellent practice session earlier in the day, Romano Fenati lost his way somewhat to finish 15th but nowhere near as much as Miguel Oliveira, who will have to fight his way through the field from 17th grid position.

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