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MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

After the COVID-19 enforced postponements and cancellations, MotoGP is finally returning to action this weekend with the Spanish Grand Prix, and here's how to watch qualifying this weekend

While Moto2 and Moto3 were able to get their respective 2020 campaigns underway in Qatar before the enforced lockdown in March, MotoGP has been waiting almost five months since the end of winter testing in late February at the Losail International Circuit.

In a reshuffled MotoGP calendar, Jerez will host the opening two rounds of the season, with the opener - the Spanish GP - taking place this weekend before the Andalucia GP follows a week later.

All riders were given the opportunity to refamiliarise themselves with their bikes during a special pre-event test on Wednesday at Jerez before the traditional race weekend format started with Friday practice.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez set the pace in FP1 for Honda, with Petronas SRT Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli taking top spot in the hot FP2 session.

Fabio Quartararo was forced to sit out the opening 20 minutes of FP1 for riding an illegal French Superbike Championship-spec Yamaha R1 at Paul Ricard last month.

What time does qualifying for the Spanish MotoGP start?

Qualifying for the Spanish MotoGP is set to start at 2:10pm local time (1:10pm BST), using the regular Q1 and Q2 sessions format. Qualifying takes place directly after the 30-minute FP4 session, which is set to start at 1:30pm local time (12:30pm BST).

The fastest 10 MotoGP riders on the FP1-2-3 combined timesheet automatically head into Q2, with the rest of the riders entering Q1 of qualifying. The two riders who are fastest in the 15-minute Q1 session will progress into Q2 to compete with the top 10 from practice. Q2, which also lasts 15 minutes, decides who gets pole position and the qualifying order for the front four rows of the grid.

Date: Saturday 18 July 2020
Start time: 2:10pm local time - 1:10pm BST

How can I watch qualifying?

In the United Kingdom, every MotoGP practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on BT Sport. MotoGP also offers its own live online video streaming service.

What's the weather forecast for qualifying at Jerez?

At the height of the Spanish summer, the weather forecast remains hot and sunny, with highs of 35 degrees Celsius for qualifying.

Jerez MotoGP FP2 result

Pos Rider Team Gap
1 Franco Morbidelli Petronas Yamaha 1m38.125s
2 Fabio Quartararo Petronas Yamaha 0.027s
3 Brad Binder KTM 0.125s
4 Marc Marquez Honda 0.244s
5 Pol Espargaro KTM 0.247s
6 Cal Crutchlow LCR Honda 0.265s
7 Maverick Vinales Yamaha 0.471s
8 Johann Zarco Avintia Ducati 0.485s
9 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati 0.489s
10 Francesco Bagnaia Pramac Ducati 0.500s
11 Takaaki Nakagami LCR Honda 0.562s
12 Iker Lecuona Tech3 KTM 0.691s
13 Danilo Petrucci Ducati 0.711s
14 Alex Rins Suzuki 0.720s
15 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 0.779s
16 Joan Mir Suzuki 0.808s
17 Miguel Oliveira Tech3 KTM 0.879s
18 Jack Miller Pramac Ducati 1.031s
19 Tito Rabat Avintia Ducati 1.056s
20 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1.097s
21 Alex Marquez Honda 1.479s
22 Bradley Smith Aprilia 1.578s

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