Bagnaia became the first-ever MotoGP rider 🦂to dip beneath the 2m ✤2s lap time barrier during Q2 as he secured a sensational pole.

Ducati’s second of the season after Marquez to pole in Argentina, the reigning world champion fears the Gresini rider could produce a performance similar to that of Enea Bastianini at the Texan circuit, after confessing that his potential rivals the race pace he’s shown in practic♒e.

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Speaking in parc ferme after🧸 qualifying to , Bagnaia said: "I feel great. We worked so well and so I’m happy. I’m happy with what we have done this morning in FP3 - my feeling was high. 

"2.1 seconds is a really great time considering the bumps and the level of grip we ha♋ve. We have to be happy for that. 

"Let’s see… I know that the Sprint race will be toug🍒h because Alex Marquez has an incredible pace, close to my one, so he will be a rival for sure."

Bagnaia’s pole was a dagger for LCR ꧃Honda after Alex Rins had provision𝕴ally moved into pole with just seconds remaining.

But after failing to improve on his penultimate lap, Bagnaia made the most of hiꦿs fiꦏnal attempt as he eventually toppled Rins’ time by 0.160s. 

For Rins, this weekend has so𝕴 far been﷽ a brilliant one as he’s been Honda’s main threat with ease.

The 2019 race winner at COTA also can’t be ruled out, especially after finding more pace in the final sector which was his onl♎y problem are during 🐈Friday practice. 

Rins added: "I think I had the pole position u💜ntil the checkered flag when I saw the screen. I saw the TV and that Pecco was a little b💝it faster than me. 

"Anyway, yesterday I already said that I was feeling quite confiden🌄t and step-by-s🎉tep I’m improving my style with the Honda. 

"We found something today for the last sector that helps me a littl🍬e bit to be faster. P2 for the Sprint race and also theꦚ main race is a really good position."