MotoGP, FP3 Valencia, Quartararo is a candidate on pole, Rossi 4th

Fabio Quartararo does not miss the appointment with that first place in the standings that now seems to belong to him in Valencia. The Frenchman was also the fastest in the third free practice session, having been the best on the track in the two sessions on Friday. Fabio perfectly interprets the M1 on the Ricardo Tormo and it seems to be the number one candidate for the conquest of the pole, which has a very important value on this track, which is narrow and not particularly easy for overtaking.

Taking front shots could mean managing to stem the usual Marc Marquez, which obviously has every intention of closing a triumphant 2019 in style. The champion of the Honda has a strategy in the race that is now obvious, or run away in the early laps, immediately force and build a margin to defend in the last part of the race. A tactic that Marquez could have difficulty putting into practice in Valencia's toboggan run, a track that hardly rewards Honda's supermotor and instead fits nicely with the characteristics of the Quartararo M1.

The first virtual row was completed by the excellent Jack Miller, able to bring the Pramac Ducati GP19 to the top. A habit that is being repeated with a certain continuity in this part of the season, projecting very often the Australian ahead in the standings compared to the two officers Dovizioso and Petrucci. Jack still probably has to take that small step forward to realize a speed potential in the race that appears absolutely crystal clear during all the previous sessions.

The third free practice session also saw him literally rise from the gravel Valentino Rossi, who after having run into two crashes yesterday, has now managed to realize the potential of his Yamaha as well as his color companions, which he has often suffered from lately. Behind him, an excellent Franco Morbidelli conquered the 5th fastest time, with his performance in any case confirming the excellent relationship between the M1 and the Spanish track. The Soft precedes Maverick Vinales, today slightly subdued compared to what was seen in the last rounds but in any case able to harpoon a place in the second virtual row.

Seventh and eighth the two Ducati officers, with Petrucci and ahead of Andrea Dovizioso. Neither of them managed to replicate the excellent speed shown by Miller and in dry conditions it is difficult to imagine a victory for a Red, as happened in 2018 thanks to Dovi. Valencia is a track on which the ability to hold high speeds at center corners is fundamental and this remains one of the Achilles heels of Borgo Panigale bikes, which on this track fail to exploit their strong points.

Joan Mir is closing the top ten and the list of qualified Q2 players, today more concrete than the expert Suzuki Rins partner, and Cal Crutchlow, who despite having run into a crash managed to unseat a few moments after Pol Espargarò's checkered flag from the last available place to guarantee the passage of the round.

Outside the direct access in Q2 also Johann Zarco, which obviously is playing in this final round of 2019 many of its chances to be the replacement of Jorge Lorenzo for 2020 in HRC. The Frenchman closed the practice with the 13th time behind Alex Rins and is one of the candidates for the Q1 shift. Certainly it will not be the individual performances put on show in Valencia to decide to join the official team for Zarco, but certainly being the protagonist of a good performance would help a lot.

Who could have shine today is undoubtedly Aleix Espargarò which unfortunately suffered a double fall during FP3. The Aprilia Spaniard failed to improve yesterday's performance, when he seemed largely able to access the Q2. Aleix instead had to settle for a 14th place ahead of him Jorge Lorenzo, which unfortunately does not seem destined to live as the protagonist of the last Grand Prix of his career.

Of note the excellent performance of the Rookie Iker Lecuona, who took the pleasure of beating both Mika Kallio and his Tech3 teammate Hafizh Syahrin. The Spaniard is growing steadily and for the moment he has made no mistake on his debut on a difficult bike like the KTM and without having played tests on the track. An absolutely remarkable debut, which seems to promise very well in view of next week's tests.

Strange fall for Pecco Bagnaia towards the end of the round. The Pramac Team driver was coming out of the pits to try the time attack and he had a pair of soft tires. Entering the track he pulled the classic stapled to warm up the carbon brakes before facing the first corner and practically straight he blocked the front giving life to a real rollover. At first we thought of a high side while heating the tires, but the dynamics of the fall was different. After remaining on the ground for a few seconds, he fortunately got up again and did not seem to have suffered physical consequences due to the fall.

UPDATE ON BAGNAIA ACCIDENT

The Pramac team pilot was taken to the Medical Center for a wrist check. As soon as there are updates we will communicate them

This is the combined ranking of the MotoGP free races in Valencia: