Manuel Gonzalez was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi, in Japan. The Championship point leader topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt IntactGP, Gonzalez navigated the 2.98-mile (4.80 km) course in 1:47.925, breaking Jake Dixon’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 1:48.679 he set yesterday during practice. 

Daniel Holgado was second-best with a 1:48.057 on his CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team Kalex and his teammate, David Alonso claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:48.129. 

Celestino Vietti crossed the finish line fourth on his Beta Tools SpeedRS Boscoscuro with a time of 1:48.132. 

Diogo Moreira got fifth with a lap time of 1:48.153 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished Saturday morning’s qualifying session 15th with a best time of 1:48.716 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Gonzalez grabs pole as Canet faces fight back in Japan. The points leader heads a duo of rookies, with Moreira P5 and Canet looking for more after failing to make it out of Q1. 

Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) hit back in style in Japan, taking pole to lead a duo of rookies as closest challenger Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) was forced to settle for fifth. Equal on points with Moreira but with one less win, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) has an even bigger challenge as he failed to make it up from Q1.

It was all red sectors at the end of Q2 in the final rush for the top, with Gonzalez taking over from David Alonso (CFMoto Power Electronics Aspar Team). Then Alonso’s teammate Dani Holgado pipped the #80 to another place, not quite able to challenge Gonzalez but taking another front row start.

That puts Misano winner Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) in fourth ahead of Moreira, with Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) slotting into a solid sixth. After good pace all weekend the Brit will be looking to move forward too.

Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) is next up, making his way through from Q1, with Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) in P8. The Japanese rider crashed in Q2, rider ok, but has had even better speed than eighth throughout his home GP so far. BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 duo Izan Guevara and Tony Arbolino lock out the top ten.

Check out full results from Moto2 qualifying in Japan HERE and tune in for more Moto2 on Sunday.