---
title: "MotoGP: Lorenzo and Dovizioso Deliver a Ducati 1-3 Front Row in Barcelona Qualifying"
description: "Lorenzo stole pole position away from Marquez by a minuscule six-hundredths of a second."
date: "2018-06-16"
modified: "2018-06-16"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21572/motogp-lorenzo-and-dovizioso-deliver-a-ducati-1-3-front-row-in-barcelona-qualifying"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Ducati"
  - "Jorge Lorenzo"
  - "Marc Márquez"
  - "MotoGP"
  - "motorcycle racing"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
---

# MotoGP: Lorenzo and Dovizioso Deliver a Ducati 1-3 Front Row in Barcelona Qualifying

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/06/2f19253a-6f72-47f8-ae33-e8e75b8528bb.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Spain is known for many things, but their exquisite *Jamon* (ham) is a staple of the nation’s culture and cuisine. Oddly enough, that's the role that Honda's Marc Marquez played at Saturday's [MotoGP qualifying](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21566/motogp-debuts-all-new-mobile-medical-clinic-to-service-riders-and-teams>), as the Spaniard was sandwiched by the two Ducati's of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso who conquered first and third place.

Saturday's pole marked Lorenzo's first pole position since Valencia 2016, as well as his first with the Italian outfit. It appears that Lorenzo's fortunes seem to be turning around at Ducati following his triumphant victory at Mugello just two weeks ago, further making his recent announcement that he'll be [leaving Ducati at the end of 2018](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21336/motogp-pedrosa-out-as-lorenzo-joins-marquez-at-repsol-honda-in-2019>) even more awkward for the team.

![message-editor%2F1529185606550-0aee13ac-f097-4a1c-a54c-1afcb681ca96.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1529185606550-0aee13ac-f097-4a1c-a54c-1afcb681ca96.jpg>)
*MotoGP*

![message-editor%2F1529185615006-539c2312-bb32-4e5b-a58f-8e660e675ca8.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1529185615006-539c2312-bb32-4e5b-a58f-8e660e675ca8.jpg>)
*MotoGP*

As it's expected of Marquez, the diminutive rider manhandled his Honda motorcycle like his life depended on it, oftentimes using his knees to keep himself [upright on the corners](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21564/motogp-eyeballs-possible-rio-de-janeiro-grand-prix-in-2021>). But at the end of the day, it was a stupefying six-hundredths of a second that separated him from Lorenzo. Behind him will be Lorenzo's teammate, Andrea Dovizioso, who will be ready to pounce and benefit from the slightest of clashes between Marquez and Lorenzo.

Further down the field, it was the Yamaha of Maverick Vinales that placed fourth and narrowly missed out on the front row, with Andrea Iannone in fifth place and soon to be factory Ducati rider Danilo Pettruci rounding up the top six for tomorrow's starting grid. Fan favorites Valentino Rossi and Johann Zarco experienced a less-than-favorable qualifying session and could only place their speed machines on seventh and eighth place respectively.

![message-editor%2F1529185631824-8ce2fde8-0a88-413a-b343-830a455a2407.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1529185631824-8ce2fde8-0a88-413a-b343-830a455a2407.jpg>)
*MotoGP*

![message-editor%2F1529185638078-21e9cbf1-428b-4187-91fc-79cbcfd950fe.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1529185638078-21e9cbf1-428b-4187-91fc-79cbcfd950fe.jpg>)
*MotoGP*

Will Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix be the moment that every MotoGP fan has been waiting for, when two soon-to-be teammates equipped with [top-notch rides](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21314/marc-marquezs-motogp-championship-lead-shortens-after-mugello-snafu>) battle it out in front of their home crowd? One thing is for sure, with attitudes soaring even higher than ambient temperatures: Tomorrow's race will surely be a scorcher in more ways than one.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)