Simone Corsi claimed his first Moto2 pole in almost a decade on Saturday as MV Augusta headed successive Ricardo Tormo grids.
Sky VR46’s Celestino Vietti claimed an equally impressive second - his debut Moto2 front row - half a tenth back from his fellow Italian’s 1’34.956 effort. Augusto Fernandez completing the leading lineup for the season’s concluding race.
Bo Bendsneyder led the opening intermediate class qualifying session as Q1’s first laps came in. Joe Roberts and soon to retire Tom Luthi sitting second and third before Corsi and Roberts hit the top. Jake Dixon claimed fourth on his third lap of the afternoon with Stefano Manzi fifth, less than a tenth outside the promotion zone.
Corsi matched his own 1’35.290 pace out front while Fermín Aldeguer arrived to second - the Speed Up replacement crashing out at high speed through turn three next time around. Hafizh Syahrin, Hector Garzo and Roberts making matters worse by locking out the top four moments later.
Albert Arenas was the next to fall while Barry Baltus failed to progress from the back of the pack due to a technical issue.
Corsi maintained control to take the session with a 1’35.155, Luthi striking for second in the final seconds with Syahrin and Roberts completing the progressing four. Dixon disappointed to finish ninth and heading for a 23rd place start on Sunday.
The final action of the day looked a lot like a Moto3 session as a group bunched on track waiting for Remy Gardner to pull the pin. The two KTM Ajo riders circulated in tandem as the flying laps came in, Augusto Fernandez taking the initial pole from Aron Canet and Vietti, on a 1’35.828.
Marcel Schrotter was the next in control before Raul Fernandez arrived thanks to a 1’35.036. Fabio di Giannantonio matching the rookie’s pace with Canet back in third as Gardner sat ninth.
Sam Lowes claimed 12th with his opening effort as the Brit continued to suffer with an injured right foot.
Vietti took provisional pole on his sixth lap before Corsi denied him seconds later, the veteran rider taking control with a 1’34.956 as Augusto Fernandez took third.
Title challenger Fernandez crashed out at turn two, running fourth overall, as Luthi rose to fifth. Di Giannantonio denying the MV rider with a 34.8 but the moment was short-lived as the lap was deleted due to track limits infringements.
A late fall for Marcos Ramirez left the American Racing riders at the back of the pack in 17th and 18th. Lowes’ last push leaving the Marc VDS man 10th.
