The year is 2022, the stage is Mandalika International Street Circuit, Central Lombok, Indonesia, and the rider sitting in pole position is Fabio Quartararo. That’s the last time Quartararo sat in first position on the grid until this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, and nothing could take the smile from the French rider’s face.
Three years out of pole position is a long time for a rider who was the 2021 MotoGP World Champion. He didn’t beat out just anyone for first place on the grid, he took it from championship leader Marc Marquez with a qualifying time of 1m35.610s.
