Ducati imperious in rain-affected Misano MotoGP qualifying

Jack Miller claimed his first MotoGP pole position since 2018 in a Ducati-dominated qualifying at Misano.

On a weekend of mixed weather forecasts, the start of the pole shoot-out represented the first wet-tyre running for the premier class after a quartet of dry practice sessions.

But the surface wasn’t exactly soaked, and there was a relatively even split between those favouring wets or slicks to start with – withe slicks swiftly proving the rubber of choice as KTM’s Miguel Oliveira set the early pace.

As riders grew in confidence and with track conditions seemingly improving minute by minute, Q2 produced a constant stream of provisional pole times, with the Ducati contingent in particular looking formidable.

And it was mixed-weather specialist Miller who came out on top in the end, his 1m31.899s proving 0.015s clear of what works team-mate Francesco Bagnaia managed at the chequered flag, while Miller himself “messed up” his final attempt.

Bagnaia, due to his grid penalty for impeding Alex Marquez earlier in the weekend, will only start fifth, meaning the front row will instead be comprised of Miller, Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) and rookie Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Ducati), who had progressed from Q1.

Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was the only rider to threaten the Ducati supremacy, placing fifth late on – which becomes fourth with Bagnaia’s penalty.

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) and Bezzecchi’s team-mate and fellow Q1 graduate Luca Marini completed a top seven featuring six Ducatis.

Championship leader Fabio Quartararo was only eighth for Yamaha, but was right ahead of his nearest title rival Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia).

The Q2 order was completed by Oliveira, Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) – who ended his Q2 drought by placing in the top 10 in FP3 – and Alex Rins (Suzuki).

Rain had been in the air from the very start of Q1, but got stronger just at the wrong time for Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin.

Martin, fresh off the disappointment of being overlooked for a 2023 Ducati works ride, was on course to progress to Q2 but got overhauled by Marini – who timed his session to perfection, and beat Martin by just 0.011s – moments before conditions got too bad for any further improvements.

It meant Martin couldn’t make any use of his second Q1 run, and he will start 13th, joined by Gresini Ducati rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio and and KTM’s Brad Binder on row five.

LCR rider Alex Marquez threw one of his Honda RC213Vs down the road at Turn 3 at the very start of Q1, yet still managed to finish as the top Honda rider in 16th, followed by Ducati tester Michele Pirro.

RNF Yamaha’s Andrea Dovizioso – sought out by Quartararo after the Q1 session for a short chat on the track conditions – qualified 18th for what will be his final start in MotoGP.

Some crucial words of wisdom from @AndreaDovizioso to @FabioQ20! 🤝

The Italian completes his final ever #MotoGP qualifying 🏁#SanMarinoGP 🇸🇲 pic.twitter.com/8g41yq2YZa

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 3, 2022

Suzuki’s debutant Kazuki Watanabe, replacing the injured Joan Mir this weekend, had his first MotoGP crash in the pre-qualifying practice four, going off at speed at the final corner.

But he recovered and even avoided qualifying last, as he beat Tech3 KTM rookies Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez – both missing out on a representative lap on their first runs and then getting caught out by rain.

Qualifying Results