LIVE UPDATES: Aleix Espargaro wins Aprilia's first-ever MotoGP race
Aleix Espargaro secured Aprilia’s first-ever MotoGP pole after a brilliant battle with Jorge Martin in Argentina.
Espargaro, who dominated Argentina MotoGP practice, had all eyes on him heading into a session that promised so much.
Looking for Aprilia’s first-ever MotoGP pole, Espargaro went top by over three tenths following the initial flurry of laps.
There were immediate problems for Suzuki as Joan Mir’s #1 bike needed to have its tyres removed and transferred over to his second GSX-RR machine.
The issue involved the bike cutting out which was soon taken care of.
On-track, Vinales momentarily went top before Martin set a new benchmark of 1:34.425s. However, Espargaro soon bettered the Pramac Ducati rider’s effort with a stunning time of 1:38.125s.
While Espargaro set a time that looked unbeatable, Jack Miller became the latest crasher at turn one following a front-end washout.
As the final flying laps began, more handbags started between Quartararo and Miller after the Ducati rider was seen touring on the racing line.
After clashing during the Indonesian Grand Prix, tension will certainly be high between the pair heading into tomorrow’s race.
Miller is likely to be given a penalty due to it costing Quartararo dearly on his lap, while it nearly resulted in contact too.
At the front, Martin, who had three personal best sectors, took over at the front following a brilliant sector four.
The Spaniard gained over three tenths to go fastest by -0.256s, but as was the case throughout the day, Espargaro fought back immediately.
While grip looked high around Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit, both practice sessions saw riders struggling with bike shaking on the exit of turn 11, something that was again on show during qualifying.
Behind the top two, Mooney VR46 Ducati rider Luca Marini matched his best ever MotoGP qualifying of third in what was also his first Q2 appearance of the season
Heading off the second row is Pol Espargaro, who like Marini left it late to set his best time, fifth is Maverick Vinales aboard the second Aprilia RS-GP machine. Rounding out the second row is reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo, who was surprisingly six tenths away from pole.
