Elf Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes will start the San Marino GP second on the Moto2 grid after Saturday’s tense Q2 session.

Lowes will line up ahead of his teammate, Augusto Fernandez, from the middle of the front row for tomorrow’s 25-lap Moto2 race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli after a late lap from KTM’s Raul Fernandez denied him the pole position.

An initial 1’36.749 effort put the 31-year-old on top of the timesheets as he hunted for a record-breaking 17th pole position of his Moto2 career. Improving further with a 1’36.615, the Brit looked to have secured back-to-back poles, at another of his favourite tracks before a stunning late attack from the KTM spoiled the plan.

“I’m really happy with another very strong performance in qualifying because being on the front row is always the target going into Q2,” Lowes said on Saturday afternoon.

“The team did a fantastic job because we only had one dry session going into Q2, but immediately I could feel we improved the bike this afternoon. The conditions were difficult. The first laps, I didn't feel very good, hit a few white lines and had a few sketchy moments so at the end I got into my rhythm, felt quite good.

“I think Raul changed the tyre, which maybe could have been a good plan because in them first laps when you're not quite on the pace, this hard tyre, it cools down a bit and then you're in a bit of no man's land. I was quite happy at the end but I couldn't go much quicker than that so well done to him!

“I'm happy with another front row, is always important to start the race from here. The first sector at Misano in the race can be complicated, so starting at the front makes a big difference and I feel like we can have another chance in the race. I feels great that both of us are in the top three because that shows the fantastic job the team is doing. I’m looking forward to the race and I think we can fight for the podium.”