Zarco into Q2 for first time this season as KTMs progress

Red Bull KTM pair Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaro progress through to Q2 for the Czech Republic MotoGP after keeping their cool in evolving conditions at Brno.

With cool, rainy conditions continuing into the afternoon in the Czech Republic, Q1 would take place on a damp track that Improved as the session progressed, even if a dry line never appeared.

Nonetheless, Espargaro and Zarco traded fastest laps with Takaaki Nakagami and Francesco Bagnaia amongst others as the clock ticked down, each revolution bringing a quicker time.

However, it was the factory KTM team that would emerge as the big winners from the session by getting both of its riders through to Q2 for the first time since Australia 2017.

Moreover, it is the first 2019 appearance for Zarco in the latter half of qualifying, a result that will likely give the Frenchman a reason to smile in what has been an otherwise miserable year for the six-time podium winner.

Nakagami missed out by just two tenths of a second and will be forced to start 13th, ahead of Pramac Ducati’s Bagnaia and Suzuki development rider Sylvain Guintoli, who got the better of his younger team-mate Joan Mir on their way to 15th and 19th respectively.

Miguel Oliveira starts 16th on the satellite Tech 3 KTM ahead of Stefan Bradl, struggling to 17th on the factory Repsol Honda, top Aprilia Aleix Espargaro, while his team-mate brings up the rear in 23rd.