Moto2 title challenger Sam Lowes will start tomorrow’s race at the Qatar MotoGP round from second place on the grid after missing out on pole position by just 0.072s today at the desert circuit.
Lowes came out firing on all cylinder, grabbing the early advantage and putting his Federal Oils Kalex at the top of the tree with a 1’59.499 - almost lap record pace - with only his third circulation but he was soon deposed by rival Alex Rins, who went 0.004s quicker.
“I’m really happy, I was fast with both tyres today and I made again a really good pace. The wind was quite strong so I lost something in the last split without splistream, but that’s okay,” said Lowes.
“I feel good, starting from the second position is positive and I think that for tomorrow we have a good chance to fight for victory. Thanks to my team, we made a good job and I’m ready to go.”
After only four minutes, Jonas Folger smashed Lowes’ outright lap record with a 1’59.052 on only his third lap which stood until the end of the session as Lowes - who was complaining of too much backing in during his debrief - just couldn’t find the extra pace to get in front.
“It was a good lap time and I am very happy with the pole position. Currently I have to say I'm just totally satisfied with the team, the bike, with myself. We had been very consistent the whole weekend and have worked very well together. I look forward to tomorrow. I am now trying to stay calm, to find quickly to my rhythm in the race and to ride my pace. The rest comes tomorrow. We'll see. Of course, everyone is fast, but we have a good starting position,” said Folger.
The Derbyshire rider’s last fast lap was a 1’59.124, which was enough to outpace the 1’59.354 which Rins had managed before he crashed at the 75mph turn two and only managed to get back out on track for the final few minutes of the period.
Reigning champion Johann Zarco snatched fourth place away from Fraco Morbidelli with his final lap of 1’59.419 while Sandro Cortese completes the front two rows. Lorenzo Baldassarri ended in seventh and also in an ambulance after his Forward spat him over the highside and into the gravel.
Britain’s Danny Kent put in a solid session to qualify in 11th place. Early session issues were overcome after his Leopard Racing crew made subtle changes to his Kalex machine enabling Kent to find the confidence he had been looking for.
“We’ve had some problems this weekend but we made a change towards the end of qualifying and I instantly felt more comfortable. Myself and my team can be happy to start P11 on our return to Moto2, I’m really excited for the race as we have 20 laps to go with some fast riders and look to learn as much as possible. I’m pleased with today and have a good feeling with the bike, we’ll look at the data and see if we can improve anything but overall I’m happy,” said Kent.
