MotoGP: Bagnaia best time before qualifying in Italy, Zarco placed

Francesco Bagnaia, despite a fall, set the fastest time on Saturday in the third free practice session of the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, while world champion Fabio Quartararo had to work hard to stay in the Top 10 .

Already struggling on Friday during the first free practice, the Frenchman had to fight to preserve the 10th time at the end of the session, which allows him to secure his place directly in the second part of qualifying (Q2) where will be played from 2:35 p.m. the first places on the starting grid on Sunday.

On his Yamaha, "El Diablo", winner last year on the Mugello circuit, is still in search of sensations to compete with the Italian teams Ducati and Aprilia determined to shine on their land: they monopolize the first seven places at the outcome of the first three free practice sessions.

Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), best time of the first day, this time had to bow to Italian Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), looking for redemption this weekend after his fall two weeks ago at Le Mans. “Pecco” however still bit the dust on Saturday morning but did not disassemble to then achieve the best time in front of Espargaro. Followed by the unexpected Italian Luca Marini (Ducati-VR46) then the regular Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Pramac).

The Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati-Gresini), the only driver to win more than one Grand Prix in the first seven rounds of the championship (3 wins), also secures his place in Q2 with the sixth fastest time. The former world champions Joan Mir (16th) and Marc Marquez (21st time only more than a second) will have to go through the first qualifying session, scheduled from 2:10 p.m.