Austrian onslaught continues: Miller makes headlines

There is simply no way to predict which way things will turn out in the 2023 MotoGP™ season. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) dominated the proceedings on day one of the SHARK French Grand Prix, leading the two practice sessions to continue his strong run with his new KTM team. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) showed a return to the top aboard his Aprilia, while Italian prodigy Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) showed why he can never be dismissed by taking 3rd place on Day 1.

As always in P2, the fight for positions in Q2 only took place when the session got closer to the checked flag. It had to be all or nothing for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) who was well aware of the importance of securing a place in Q2 in his home Grand Prix. The Frenchman started putting on the afterburners in the last twenty minutes. Rolling over the jagged edge, Quartararo’s first flyer ended early in a near miss aboard his Yamaha, seeing him make a spectacular stop to regroup and put the hammer back once more.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the first to shuffle the order as the South African raced to the top of the timesheets to beat his P1 teammates to make it a KTM one-two.

The last 10 minutes came and Miller retook first place from his teammate only to lose it again right after to Marco Bezzecchi. The Aussie looked like he wanted to fire back at the VR46 man, but a solid final sector from Bezzecchi kept Miller at bay.

Meanwhile Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was on a flyer as the Spaniard put in red sectors to get into P2, and with two and a half minutes remaining the timing screens started to light up.

Espargaro, Bezzecchi, Martin were the order with just one minute to play. Fans were on their feet when their hometown hero Johann Zarco started shooting down red sectors as he chased the Jack Miller robbery. Miller came out on top to set first and only 1:30 away with Zarco moving into P5 to push Espargaro and Bezzecchi one place each and push Bagnaia out of Q2.

While Espargaro and Bezzecchi held on in 2nd and 3rd place, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) consolidated 4th place just ahead of his teammate, while Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales clinched 6th place ahead of Binder in 7th.

It was a familiar sight for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he looked behind him with eleven minutes remaining to see Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) right on his rear wheel as the Repsol Honda man looked to use the world champion to tow him into the Q2 position. Bagnaia was not giving in to wits as the Italian returned to the pit lane to shake off the Spaniard.

Bagnaia returned to the circuit, and it was a last chance scenario for the Ducati man as he sat outside Q2 in P12. A swarm of runners followed the World Champion with only six minutes to play. The sinister Marc Marquez got behind Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) who followed Bagnaia who took the Repsol Honda man to P5.

There was one last bite of the cherry for the world champion as Bagnaia just clinched a place in Q2 to move into P9, while Marc Marquez made another trip to the gravel pit and finished the session just ahead of the Italian in P8.