2016 Sachsenring MotoGP Qualifying Result: Likely Performances And Unlikely Tumbles

As qualifying started, the opening act was set to be the world champion’s one-of-a-kind adventure into Q1. The ‘will he, won’t he’ concluded with a bittersweet ending, Lorenzo joining Petrucci into Q2 despite a fast fall in turn eight. Little did he know things were about to go even more sour soon after.

But onto the main attraction, Sachsenring became the Marc Marquez show, only Hector Barbera briefly seeing the top of the timesheets due to a tow courtesy of the Honda rider himself. Soon after, Marquez blitzed his way back to the top, four tenths off Barbera and half a second over Valentino Rossi.

The unlikely trio filled the front row, with Danilo Petrucci in fourth, despite setting an identical time to Rossi. He will be joined on the second row by the Yamaha of Pol Espargaro and a potentially disappointed Maverick Viñales in sixth.

Andrea Dovizioso proved to be the third best Ducati of the day, sharing third row with Aleix Espargaro. Despite a promising FP3, Andrea Iannone hit the deck at the first corner with ten minutes to go, ninth place the best he could do on his second outing.

But the unhappiest duo on the grid consisted of Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo, the Honda rider at least having the consolation of not crashing for a third time this weekend. The unpleasant experiment was undertaken late into Q2 by the world champion, who, starting outside of the top ten for the first time since 2004, will probably pin the layout of this circuit on his dartboard.

Results: