Acosta was fastest on Friday in practice at the Circuit de Barcelona and maintained that, posting the best time at 1 min 38.068 sec.

The Spaniard, starting from pole for the second time in his career, will be joined on the front row by Franco Morbidelli and last year’s Catalan Grand Prix winner, Alex Marquez.

Aprilia rider Bezzecchi, leading Jorge Martin by a single point, crashed before the final run and will start from position 12.

Martin, triumphant at Le Mans last weekend in the French Grand Prix, took ninth.

He struggled in practice on Friday and had to participate in Q1 for the first time this season, in which he crashed.

Last year’s champion, Marc Marquez, is out after surgery on his right foot and shoulder. The sprint takes place later on Saturday before Sunday’s Grand Prix.