VINALES SNATCHES SAN MARINO POLE

Maverick Vinales snatches San Marino pole – Photo: LAT

Factory Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales has broken the lap record on the way to taking a pole position for tonight’s San Marino Grand Prix in Italy.

By DAN McCARTHY

The Spaniard left it late to jump to the top of the times, waiting until his final lap to leap up the order, obliterating the field to take pole by 0.312s and breaking the lap record in the process.

Australian Jack Miller went into qualifying off the back of setting the 19th fastest time in practice 4, however the Queenslander pulled one out the bag and will start the grand prix from fifth on the grid.

At the end of qualifying Yamaha bikes locked out the top four positions, Vinales will start alongside the two Petronas Yamaha riders.

Franco Morbidelli was second fastest after edging out his teammate and championship leader Fabio Quartararo. Quartararo was the favourite heading into the session but was unable to match his brand mates.

Hometown hero Valentino Rossi pleased the 10,000 fans at the venue by setting the fourth fastest time.

Miller was just 0.002s faster than his returning Pramac Ducati teammate who both completed the second row.

After both Suzuki riders had a chance of victory in Austria, they lacked such strong pace around Misano, nevertheless they are still in contention with Alex Rins and Joan Mir starting seventh and eighth respectively.

The man second in the standings, factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso qualified in ninth in front of Avintia Ducati rider Johann Zarco.

Pol Espargaro and Miguel Oliveira were the two riders that made it out of Q1 to take part in the second segment, but they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.

Pol Espargaro crashed at the start of the session. He later re-joined on his spare bike late on, eclipsing his brand mate and Styrian Grand Prix winner Oliveira to 11th by just 0.057s.

Aleix Espargaro was knocked out of the final promotional spot by Oliveira late in Q1 and will start from 13th on his Aprilia.

Takaaki Nakagami was the highest placed Honda in 14th, ahead of Danilo Petrucci, Brad Binder, Tito Rabat, Iker Lecuona, Stefan Bradl, Bradley Smith and Alex Marquez rounding out the 21-rider grid.

Britons Cal Crutchlow will not be able to take part in the race as it was confirmed on Saturday morning that he was unfit due to complications from his arm pump surgery.

The San Marino Grand Prix begins at 10.00pm AEST and can be seen live on Fox Sports 507.

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