Rookies steal the show in Mugello as Di Giannantonio claims a maiden pole

After three practice sessions in bond-dry conditions, FP4 became a preview for qualifying as rain hit the Mugello circuit. 

As more and more rain started to fall, Marquez headed out of pit lane on slick tyres, a decision he regretted with immediate effect. 

As he rode around the outside of Fabio Quartararo, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, Marquez highsided on the exit of turn two as he violently landed on his head and shoulder. 

The eight-time world champion’s bike then caught fire as it self-destructed with Marquez in the gravel. 

Thankfully, Marquez returned to his feet relatively quickly before returning to pit lane. Without a flying lap being complete, the red flags were rightfully brought out. 

Once the session restarted, every rider headed back out on-track with slick tyres. 

Building on his stunning Q1 performance, Fabio Di Giannantonio immediately found his groove as he bolted to the top of the leaderboard. 

Di Giannantonio then went a further 1.2 seconds clear of Bezzecchi, while Luca Marini made it a provisional all-Ducati front row. 

Ducati’s dominance continued as Q2 developed, but this time it was Zarco leading the way as Bagnaia slotted in third place. 

With Di Giannantonio returning to provisional pole, several riders attempted to dislodge the Italian on their final lap.

And Bezzecchi did just that as he went two tenths faster, but with Di Giannantonio yet to take the checkered flag, the Gresini Ducati rider pumped in four red sectors as he came across the line to eventually set a time of 1:46.156s, therefore pole was his. 

Di Giannantonio and Marquez advance through wild Mugello MotoGP Q1 session

With conditions continuing to prove tricky once Q1 got underway, Marc Marquez, Alex Rins, Joan Mir and Jack Miller highlighted the big names needing to find pace.  

As expected, Miller wasted no time in getting comfortable, however, the factory Ducati rider was beaten to top spot by Mandalika race winner Miguel Oliveira. 

After securing one of the most spectacular MotoGP wins in Austria last season, Brad Binder took another gamble by running slick tyres on a damp track. 

The South African was immediately rewarded for his bravery as he went three seconds quicker than team-mate Oliveira. 

Binder’s time resulted in Maverick Vinales, Rins and Miller all returning to pit lane in order to fit slick tyres. 

With heavy rain starting to fall in sector two, Michele Pirro seemed to have timed his lap to perfection as he went second fastest.

However, mixed weather specialists Miller and Marquez showed unbelievable bravery to go first and second despite rain continuing to fall [sector two]. The pair improved on the next lap around but it was Di Giannantonio who was the rider with the most pace. 

Miller found yet more time on his final lap to momentarily go second, but with Marquez tucked into his slipstream, the Repsol Honda rider overhauled the Australian as soon as they came over the line. 

Prior to qualifying began, Jorge Martin was hit with a three-place grid penalty due to irresponsible riding in FP3.