Rins in the lead in the combined standings, Zarco and Quartararo in Q1 

The season MotoGP 2022 is well and truly launched on the Lusail circuit in Qatar. Only the second free practice session, held at sunset, allowed the category protagonists to fight for one of the ten places in Q2; the second and third sessions taking place in the face of significantly higher temperatures, making the task more delicate.

In the time trial game, Alex Rins was the most effective. The Suzuki representative confirms the progress made by the GSX-RR over the winter, particularly in terms of top speed. The in-line 4-cylinder engine develops more power than last year and allows Rins and Joan Mir to compete against the Ducati and Honda. 

💥ratatata💥
*🤔wait this sound isn't supposed to be happening*
*oh, yep, f***ing buttons, you have to be an engineer to ride a @motogp bike😵‍💫*
*ready, set, go! 🚀* https://t.co/KagSr6b8DC

- Alex Rins (@ Rins42) March 4, 2022

In Q2, Rins will be joined by Marc Marquez, who seems comfortable aboard the all-new RC213V, and his teammate. Among the other riders will be Jorge Martin, first Ducati rider in the ranking, followed by Enea Bastianini who climbed into the Top 10 in the final moments, depriving fabio quartararo of Q2. Pol Espargaro, Franco Morbidelli, Francesco Bagnaia, Jack Miller and Aleix Espargaro complete the list of pre-qualified in Q2.

Johann Zarco, second twice last year at Lusail, is the other big loser in the free sessions. Although he was able to progress slightly in FP3, he had to settle for 15th time, just six tenths of the benchmark established by Rins. He will therefore have to pass the repechage just like his compatriot.  

Combined ranking FP1-3