MotoGP: Rossi’s dry tyre gamble pays off to make Q2 with Morbidelli

The Doctor went out on slick tyres with everyone else was on wet rubber, whilst Alex Rins will start from 19th on the grid

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi pulled off a genius gamble in Q1 at the Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France by being the only man to exit on slick rubber, with everyone else on wets, to top the session and progress through to Q2.

Petronas Yamaha SRT’s Franco Morbidelli ended second quickest, over one a half seconds behind The Doctor, and will take the final place in Q1. Meanwhile, it was disaster for Team Ecstar Suzuki’s Alex Rins who will line up 19th on the grid. The worst qualifying for the man second in the World Championship since Aragon 2017.