Franco Morbidelli was “very happy” at the 𓆉outcome of Saturday as he recovered brilliantly from a “nasty, painful” morning fall to qualify on the front row for Sunday’s MotoGP outing at Montmeló.

The 24-year old was chasing a fast lap time (and mentor Valentino Rossi) late into FP3 when he high-sided through turn 13 at close to 120mph. Typica꧒lly, Morbidelli shrugged it off, reminding the media he had suffered a quicker fall at this track in the past.

Even still, Morbidelli was nursing heavy bruising to his backside, 🌳lower back and elbow by the time FP4 came around. After setting the fift𝓀h fastest time there, he progressed through Q1 before qualifying fourth, a result that was improved by one place thanks to Maverick Viñales’ grid penalty.

“First of all I have to say thanks to the team,” said Morbidelli, now❀ twice a fr𒐪ont row qualifier in four races. “They were able to adjust the bike from FP3 to FP4 in a great way.

“This morning was really nasty and painful. I didn’t know what to expect from ♐this afternoon. But anyway it came out a good FP and a good qualifying passing through♔ Q1 so I’m just very happy about this day.”

Asked to expand▨ on his FP3 fall, Morbidelli said, “It’s one of the heaviest [crashes] of my life. I high-sided at 192kph (119mph).

“But I’ve done that here because in 2017 I crashed at 200.4🍒kph (124mph) in turn nine so maybe it didn’t scare me so much. But it was a big hit so we didn’t know what to expꦅect this afternoon.

“Luckily the feeling was back quite soon and I felt quite good quite soon. Moreoꦇver in sector 4 I’m quite fast. It started pretty bad but it ended pretty good. I’m veꩲry happy about this day."

Most MotoGP riders commented on the deterioration of track conditions when compared to 2018, makiꦰng tyre choice something of a lottery. Michelin even believes all six tyres (three front options and three rear) c🃏an be raced.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s 24-l꧒ap race that should take place in the punishing afternoon sun, Morbidelli offered, “We need to see how is the conditi🧸on, how the bike will behave tomorrow.

“But you’re right, the pace has ꦛbeen good all weekend. We are confident. Now it’s just a matter of getting fixed good this evening with the Clinica and go to tomorrow’s race.

“It’s going to be a real test. Conditions are going to be very hot. Tyre ch𓆏oice is going to be very important. We will have to see and make the right choice and keep a good pace.”