Diggia celebrates “full heart” MotoGP pole, Bezzecchi “didn’t see” Marc Marquez
Fabio di Giannantonio smashes COTA lap record for back-to-back MotoGP poles, title leader Marco Bezzecchi "didn't see" Marc Marquez behind.
After waiting four years for a second MotoGP pole position, Fabio di Giannantonio has now taken two poles in the space of a week after ruling a record-breaking qualifying session at COTA.
The VR46 Ducati rider smashed Maverick Vinales’ 2024 lap record by over seven tenths of a second on his penultimate lap of the 15-minute shootout.
It also made di Giannantonio, who claimed a podium double from pole in Brazil last weekend, the only Ducati rider on the front row, finishing 0.193s clear of Aprilia’s world championship leader Marco Bezzecchi.
di Giannantonio's "full heart lap"
“The team did an incredible job yesterday because we did a big change for this morning and they understood perfectly what I needed to be faster. So I'm super grateful to them,” di Giannantonio said.
“Then we did an amazing lap. This lap was the most dynamic lap of my life, honestly. It was a full-heart lap! I must be super happy, but we must also keep the focus.
“It's only a pole position, for sure it's a great shot to start from where we are, but we need to be focused and try to give our best in the afternoon.”
Bezzecchi "didn't see Marc"
Bezzecchi, chasing a fifth grand prix victory in a row on Sunday, said that both rear tyre options are possible for this afternoon’s Sprint.
“I’m happy with the hot lap. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for the pole position, but it's good to be in the first row. It's super important,” he said.
“We will see about the sprint because both tyres on the rear are possible for the longer race, but also for the sprint.”
However, Bezzecchi’s front row is in jeopardy for the Grand Prix, having joined the likes of Marc Marquez and Ai Ogura in being placed under investigation by the FIM Stewards for slow riding on the racing line.
Marquez clearly felt he was held up by Bezzecchi, shaking his head and waving at the Italian at the end of the back straight on the opening run.
“About Marc, honestly, I have no idea. I didn't see him,” said Bezzecchi in parc ferme.
However, Marquez - who eventually qualified in sixth place - is under investigation himself, for holding up Enea Bastianini, while Bagnaia thumped his tank in frustration behind Ogura.
Acosta: "First target done"
Meanwhile, KTM’s Pedro Acosta kept out of trouble on his way to third and a front row start.
“First target done, a good qualifying,” he said. “Now it's time to check everything with the team and see where we can be competitive and make a good strategy because we can see that Aprilia and Ducati are still being super fast here.
“It will be a good battle.”
Acosta won the season opening Buriram Sprint, with Marquez victorious over di Giannantonio last Saturday in Brazil.
The ten lap COTA Sprint starts at 3pm local time.
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Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
