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MotoGP 2020: Starting grid and race preview for the Austrian Grand Prix

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales

After a week of firsts in Brno last time out, the indications from qualifying suggest the pattern will follow the early signs of the MotoGP season at the Austrian Grand Prix. 

Brad Binder earned a maiden premier class win for both himself and KTM last week, but he endured a difficult qualifying session on Saturday. 

In contrast, Maverick Vinales secured a first pole of the 2020 season having had a torrid time in the Czech Republic. 

The Spaniard was runner-up for the first two races of the season, which were held in Jerez, where Fabio Quartararo triumphed on both occasions. 

Quartararo also struggled in Brno but starts on the front row this time as he bids for a third win from four races, with Jack Miller second on the grid.

WHAT HAPPENED IN QUALIFYING

As little as 24 hours ago, not many would have tipped Vinales to be sitting on pole position, having admitted he was "a bit lost" amid poor performances in Friday's free practice sessions. 

But there was a strong return to form for Vinales, who heads the field for the first time since Phillip Island towards the end of the 2019 season. 

Miller was also out of form at the Czech Republic Grand Prix but produced a storming late lap to put himself in contention. A frantic session finished with Quartararo – the championship leader – third as he aims to get back to winning ways. 

Andrea Dovizioso, fresh from announcing he is leaving Ducati, briefly went fastest but will start fourth, while surprise package Binder is a lowly 17th.

THE STARTING GRID

1. Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha), 2. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), 3.Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha)
4. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati), 5. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM), 6. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar)
7. Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha), 8. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), 9. Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing)
10. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), 11. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), 12. Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha)
13. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati), 14. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), 15. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda)
16. Iker Lecuona (Tech 3 KTM), 17. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), 18. Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda)
19. Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda), 20. Bradley Smith (Aprilia), 21. Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing)
22. Michele Pirro (Ducati)

CZECH REPUBLIC GRAND PRIX TALKING POINTS

Before qualifying had even started, breaking news stemmed from the paddock in the form of Dovizioso's impending exit from Ducati, ending a relationship that started way back in 2013. 

The Italian has a chance to win in Austria for a third time in his career, with another victory offering a timely reminder of his quality ahead of an uncertain future. 

For Vinales, the improvement was certainly needed given his showing in Brno was his joint-worst (excluding retirements) in his six years in MotoGP. 

Quartararo made a flying start with back-to-back wins in Jerez and is primed to add more points to extend his lead having racked up an 11th consecutive front-row start.

WHAT THE RIDERS SAID

Maverick Vinales (1st): "Well I'm really happy because my objective was to be front row, I suddenly felt an incredible feeling on the bike from FP4. The team has done really a good job. We need to understand tomorrow the right tyre, the bike is working fantastic. It's very different to Brno." 

Jack Miller (2nd): "It's mainly the last sector - I still haven't got it quite sussed just yet. I crowned over Turn Nine, I was losing the rear. It's almost like it started locking the rear. I tried to tidy it up the best I could, we need to fix it before tomorrow." 

Fabio Quartararo (3rd): ""Honestly it feels really happy because this weekend I was slightly closer to make time attacks, I'm so happy about it, we need to check the pace. Honestly, I'm feeling great, it's great to be back on the front row."

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