A trip into the gravel trap and the ‘best save of my career’ hindered Britain’s Gino Rea in today’s Moto2 qualifying session at the Silverstone MotoGP round.

The Londoner had a promising start to the day in free practice three and closed to the gap on the leaders but then two trips off track in the last minutes of the final timed session meant he was unable to improve on his 26th place grid slot.

“We started the day off well and closed the gap to the leaders in the first session. The qualifying started off well too and I was able to replicate my Free Practice 3 time on used tyres but we waited a bit too long to put in the new tyres,” said Rea.

“In the end with the new tyres, I made a few mistakes and ran off the track twice and in one of those incidents, I dropped the bike in the gravel. By the time I got back on I only had one lap left and in that lap I lost the front in the fast turn 12.

“I saved it on my elbow but slid for so long. I was really really lucky to stay on. It was probably one of my best saves. Anyway, I didn’t get a chance to go quicker which is a shame because I think we had the pace for the top 18 at least.

“I’m disappointed with the final result but I know we’ve got potential to be higher up. I need a good start tomorrow and to get away with the top 20 group."

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