Pol Espargaro described the pace that allowed him to secure KTM’s best ever MotoGP qualifying result as ‘genuine’, while hailing his team’s continuing development as ‘incredible’.
Espargaro will start second for Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, securing KTM’s highest ever premier class starting position and matching his personal highest-from his days competing with the Tech 3 Yamaha squad- in the process with his ‘crazy’ lap.
Johann Zarco secured the Austrian marque’s previous qualifying best at Brno earlier this year with third on the grid, with Espargaro lining up just behind in fifth.
Zarco also showed decent pace throughout qualifying, heading Suzuki’s Joan Mir to set the fastest time in Q1 before ultimately securing eighth on the grid in the pole shootout.
KTM have continued to make large strides so far this season having taking a step back in form in 2018 following a strong end to their ’17 campaign, with Espargaro in particular becoming a regular fixture within the top ten this year.
The Spaniard has notched up six top ten’s so far and currently sits 11th in the overall riders standings having only failed to score once all season, when his RC16 expired early on in the Austrian GP.
Espargaro believes that while it was a surprise to secure a front row start, his pace during FP4 this morning-where he focussed on used tyre runs- puts him in good stead for the race, while also praising his ever improving machine.
“I’m shaking. That was a crazy, crazy lap, this morning I did a good lap but I was behind Maverick (Vinales) and I thought it would be impossible to improve, especially this afternoon when the track is hotter and more slippery, but we did it,” said Espargaro.
“In FP4 we worked with used tyres and we were consistently with the top six or seven throughout the session and honestly the bike is working amazing.
“It’s incredible how much we are improving and this is genuine speed the bike is really there and when it’s like this I can do big things.”
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