2018 Argentina MotoGP Qualifying Results

Following three years on a satellite Honda RC213V, Jack Miller signed with Alma Pramac Racing Ducati for 2018.

The Australian had mixed results in pre-season testing, his best finish a third during the Qatar test. During the opening round at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit, Miller claimed 10th.

Things got much better for Miller Saturday during qualifying for round 2 of 19 in 2018 MotoGP at Argentina’s Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.

Miller made a wise decision to switch to slicks on a drying circuit, and was able to earn his debut pole position in the premier class. He also became the first Ducati Independent Team Rider to secure a pole.

Miller, who has a single premier class win after victory during a wet Assen MotoGP in 2016, posted a best lap of 1:47.153 to take pole during the 15-minute qualifying sessions. Joining him on the front row for Sunday’s 25-lap race are Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, who finished 0.177 of a second back, and Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Johann Zarco, who finished 0.212 of a second back.

Heading up row two is Reale Avintia Racing Ducati’s Tito Rabat, his best qualifying effort in MotoGP. Rabat will be joined on row two by Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins and the reigning MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez on the factory Repsol Honda.

Qaulifying seventh was Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro, who was the final rider to post within a second of Miller. Qatar winner Andrea Dovizioso qualifying eighth aboard the Ducati Team GP18, and he was follwed by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales and LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow.

Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi qualified 11th, ahead of Team Suzuki Excstar’s Andrea Iannone. As for three-time MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo, he continues to struggle on the Ducati GP18, the Spaniard qualifying 14th.

Rain is expected again on Sunday for the Argentina Grand Prix, which goes green at 2 p.m. ET.

2018 Argentina MotoGP Qualifying Results

Pos.	Rider	Manufacturer	Nationality	Time
1	Jack Miller	Honda	AUS	01’47.153
2	Daniel Pedrosa	Honda	ESP	01’47.330
3	Johann Zarco	Yamaha	FRA	01’47.365
4	Tito Rabat	Honda	ESP	01’47.681
5	Alex Rins	Suzuki	ESP	01’47.743
6	Marc Marquez	Honda	ESP	01’47.754
7	Aleix Espargaro	Aprilia	ESP	01’47.845
8	Andrea Dovizioso	Ducati	ITA	01’48.247
9	Maverick Viñales	Yamaha	ESP	01’49.044
10	Cal Crutchlow	Honda	GBR	01’49.304
11	Valentino Rossi	Yamaha	ITA	01’49.326
12	Andrea Iannone	Suzuki	ITA	01’49.975
13	Karel Abraham	Ducati	CZE	01’49.878
14	Jorge Lorenzo	Ducati	ESP	01’50.063
15	Scott Redding	Ducati	GBR	01’50.175
16	Pol Espargaro	KTM	ESP	01’50.324
17	Xavier Simeon	Ducati	BEL	01’50.364
18	Danilo Petrucci	Ducati	ITA	01’50.449
19	Alvaro Bautista	Ducati	ESP	01’50.606
20	Thomas Luthi	Honda	CHE	01’50.833
21	Bradley Smith	KTM	GBR	01’51.007
22	Franco Morbidelli	Honda	ITA	01’51.012
23	Hafizh Syahrin	Yamaha	MYS	01’51.142
24	Takaaki Nakagami	Honda	JPN	01’51.387