German MotoGP, Sachsenring - Full Qualifying Results
Zarco ends countryman Quartararo's pole run, despite falling at the end of qualifying for the German MotoGP at Sachsenring.
The Pramac Ducati rider, currently 14 points behind title leader Quartararo, snatched the top spot with two minutes to go before a fast accident when he lost the front of his Desmosedici at Turn 4 (shortly after passing Quartararo) sent him skipping across the gravel and into an airfence.
Quartararo was unable to snatch pole back, while Miller was in pole contention until forced to make a save at the final corner of his last lap.
Miller's moment meant that Aleix Espargaro gave Aprilia's RS-GP its first front-row start, while Marc Marquez and Catalunya winner Oliveira will join the Australian on row two.
At one stage Aleix Espargaro, Marc Marquez, Oliveira and Martin were going so slowly they were almost parked as they sought a tow.
Sachsenring, the shortest and slowest circuit for top speed in the world championship, was not part of last year's Covid calendar, which also meant Marc Marquez's record of winning every race at the circuit since he joined the MotoGP class in 2013 remained intact. Add in three victories in the 125cc/Moto2 classes and the Spaniard is unbeaten at the track since 2009!
Marquez faces a challenge to continue that run this weekend given his best of seventh place since his return from injury and Honda being without a podium this season - but while still struggling for strength in his right arm and corresponding shoulder area, Marquez has far less trouble with left-hand corners, which dominate the anti-clockwise German track. The #93 is also finally using the new 2021 Honda fairing upgrade this weekend, a Yamaha style 'loop'.
Rins is returning to action for Suzuki after missing Barcelona due to a fractured wrist in a bicycle accident. The Spaniard reached Qualifying 2 by leading the Qualifying 1 session, while the likes of team-mate Mir and Quartararo team-mate Vinales were left near the back of the grid.
| German MotoGP, Sachsenring - Full Qualifying Results | ||||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time/Diff | Lap | Max |
| 1 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP21) | 1'20.236s | 7/7 | 302k |
| 2 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +0.011s | 7/9 | 293k |
| 3 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) | +0.211s | 5/7 | 298k |
| 4 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.272s | 6/10 | 298k |
| 5 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.331s | 2/9 | 298k |
| 6 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +0.353s | 6/8 | 298k |
| 7 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP21)* | +0.381s | 3/8 | 301k |
| 8 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.423s | 3/5 | 296k |
| 9 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.574s | 4/8 | 293k |
| 10 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Team (GP21) | +0.575s | 3/8 | 301k |
| 11 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.713s | 6/8 | 295k |
| 12 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +0.899s | 8/9 | 297k |
| Qualifying 1: | ||||||
| 13 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | 1'20.736s | 8/9 | 298k |
| 14 | Luca Marini | ITA | Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | 1'20.864s | 7/10 | 297k |
| 15 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Avintia Ducati (GP19)* | 1'20.953s | 8/9 | 297k |
| 16 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'20.972s | 6/8 | 293k |
| 17 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | 1'21.014s | 7/10 | 293k |
| 18 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Petronas Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'21.091s | 4/7 | 289k |
| 19 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | 1'21.137s | 7/8 | 293k |
| 20 | Iker Lecuona | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16) | 1'21.154s | 8/8 | 297k |
| 21 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | 1'21.165s | 4/9 | 293k |
| 22 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* | 1'21.411s | 2/5 | 294k |
* Rookie
Fastest practice time:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 20.348s
Official Sachsenring MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 20.115s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1m 21.228s (2019)
