Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes secured his first Moto2 pole position of 2022 on near lap-record pace at the Sachsenring on Saturday.
A 1’23.493, just a tenth shy of the all-time record, in intense conditions lines Lowes up at the head of the German grid with Aspar’s Albert Arenas and Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez alongside. Jake Dixon narrowly missing out on a front row start after fighting his way through from Q1 to fourth on the second GasGas machine.
Mooney VR46’s Celestino Vietti faced the Q1 fight for promotion as Moto2 qualifying began for the German GP. Tony Arbolino, Dixon and Honda’s Somkiat Chantra all alongside at the challenging circuit after a difficult and increasingly hot Saturday continued.
The series leader led the way as the initial times began to register. The Italian setting a 1’23.786 on his debut effort with Arbolino, RW’s Barry Baltus and Dixon completing the top four before the Brit struck for second, a quarter of a second adrift, next time around.
Arbolino consolidated third before saving a moment at turn one as he attempted to better with his fourth revolution. Marcel Schrotter claiming the position at his home track with his fifth attempt and leaving the Marc VDS rider precarious as the session counted down.
Sean Dylan Kelly celebrated his highest qualifying performance of his American Racing rookie career with ninth as the chequered flag dropped. Arbolino safe, by 0.04s, with no further challenges registering in the final seconds.
The final action of the day got underway with Vietti and Pedro Acosta rubbing elbows on their first flying laps of Q2. Aspar’s Arenas and Dixon instantly locking out the times with high 1’23 pace from Flexbox’s Aron Canet, Vietti and the Marc VDS duo of Sam Lowes and Arbolino.
Schrotter slotted into third with his third effort as Arbolino advanced to fifth. Joe Roberts placed the Italtrans neatly behind with Honda’s Ai Ogura and Gresini’s Filip Salac rounding out the top ten while the KTMs struggled in 14th and 16th.
Lowes was on provisional pole with five minutes to go as the 31-year-old set a 1’23.493 on the 50℃ surface. Fernandez finding a late surge to knock Dixon off the front row. The Brit in the pits and unable to challenge as the clock counted down.
Vietti mounted an attack with his tenth lap of the afternoon, improving to eighth before fading in the second sector next time around as he settled for a third row start with Arbolino and Roberts either side.
Lowes claiming the pole from Arenas and Fernandez with Dixon behind in fourth for Sunday’s 28-lap battle.
