Stefano Manzi took a history-making pole position at Valencia this afternoon aboard his Forward Racing MV Agusta.

 The impressive debut pole for the 21-year-old’s Grand Prix career is also a first for the Italian Marque in GP competition since Giacomo Agostini at Le Mans in 1976 and their first in the intermediate class in 59 years.

Concluding Friday 11th overall, and sixth in the afternoon practice, Manzi was already feeling confident heading into the second day of the penultimate weekend before he secured his path into the final qualifying with a top-10 position in FP3.

Consistent and impressive pace from the outset allowed the Italian youngster to challenge repeatedly for the top times in the afternoon shootout, sitting at the head of the standings with both his fifth and ninth laps of the 15-minute session. His final effort - a 1’34.418 - coming in the dying seconds as the chequered flag dropped and with no challenges registering from his remaining competitors.

With the dust settling on the momentous achievement, Forward Racing’s boss Milena Koerner commented on her surprise: “Actually after the last season where he did really good here, we came here with at least hoping to be top-10 but last weekend didn’t really go according to plan with the ever-changing weather conditions.

We hoped to be better this weekend but we didn’t think about a pole position. It feels really well, still the race is tomorrow so we have to stay calm but it’s a good feeling.”

Speaking from Parc Ferme a jubilant Manzi described his pole lap: “It was incredible because in the middle of the practice, from the box, they sent the message P1 and then after P5 and so I say ‘ I want to stay in the first row’ but finally I make the pole position and I’m so happy about this.

“This morning I was 11th [overall], the riders are so close and it’s difficult to make the difference but today in qualifying I did a very good lap to take the pole. I’m so happy.”

When asked if he thought he has the potential for a race win tomorrow the Italian responded:

“I think so. My rhythm was not bad all the weekend, yesterday and this morning. I will wait to see with my first lap with a full tank but I think I can do a good race.”

Reflecting on MV Augusta’s first pole position in both Grand Prix racing and the intermediate class, in decades Manzi explained:

“I’m happy and proud about this because I want to remember last year when we started our first race in Qatar, and we came second in qualifying and now we are on pole. It’s a great result for me, for the team and also for MV, back after 44 years, so I am very happy.”