Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) hit back in style in Japan, taking pole to lead a duo of rookies as closest challenger Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) was forced to settle for fifth. Equal on points with Moreira but with one less win, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) has an even bigger challenge as he failed to make it up from Q1, suffering his worst qualifying ever in Moto2.
It was all red sectors at the end of Q2 in the final rush for the top, with Gonzalez taking over from David Alonso (CFMoto Power Electronics Aspar Team). Then Alonso’s teammate Dani Holgado pipped the #80 to another place, not quite able to challenge Gonzalez but taking another front row start.
That puts Misano winner Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) in fourth ahead of Moreira, with Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) slotting into a solid sixth. After good pace all weekend the Brit will be looking to move forward too.
Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) is next up, making his way through from Q1, with Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) in P8. The Japanese rider crashed in Q2, rider ok, but has had even better speed than eighth throughout his home GP so far. Rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slots into P9 ahead of BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 duo Izan Guevara and Tony Arbolino.
Check out full results from Moto2 qualifying in Japan HERE and tune in for more Moto2 on Sunday.
Manuel Gonzalez, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Moto2™, Parc Ferme, QP, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Manuel Gonzalez, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
David Alonso, CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Manuel Gonzalez, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Daniel Holgado, David Alonso, CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Manuel Gonzalez, LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP, Motul Grand Prix of Japan
AloJapan.com