The matter becomes complicated at times for Jorge Martín. After an optimistic Friday, in which he put pressure on Pecco Bagnaia and forced him to go through the play-offs, the tables turned in Cheste this Saturday: the pressure began to take its toll on the Madrid native, who finished in a discreet 6th place. grid position for both races, while the Italian emerged unscathed and qualified second, with the terrain favorable to attempt the assault on the title in the Sprint (3:00 p.m.).
The pole position for both races went to Maverick Viñales (Aprilia), the first of the season for the Ampurdian.
In fact, the qualifying could have been much worse for Martín, since with 2m24s left it was Bagnaia who had the provisional pole. The Madrid native was lucky that Maverick Viñales, the fastest on Friday, was again on the fast lap of Q2 and took the first starting position from the Italian, who will start second.
"Everything went perfectly, we didn't have any problems like on Friday. I picked up the feeling and rhythm lap by lap. It probably won't be easy this afternoon, but starting from the front row I have the opportunity to push hard, and I hope to be first," he commented. the Italian, who can mathematically be champion in the Sprint: he only needs to score 4 more points than Martín.
For his part, Martín was a nervous wreck, because of his complaining gestures, because of his mistakes, because he wanted to change bikes... and on top of that he had a hard time with Marc Márquez, who was following his wheel to achieve a good starting position ( in the end, 9th, behind his brother Àlex).
The eight-time world champion, who said goodbye in Valencia to 11 seasons with Honda, ended up crashing trying to follow Martín. Without physical consequences. It was his 28th fall of the year.
