David Alonso was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Circuit Of The Americas, in Texas. The Colombian rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Kalex, Alonso navigated the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) course in 2:05.203, breaking his own 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 2:05.847 he set yesterday during the practice session. It was also his first Moto2 pole position.
Barry Baltus was second-best with a 2:05.347 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex.
Alonso Lopez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:05.363 on his Italjet Gresini Kalex.
Row-two qualifiers included QJMotor MSI’s Angel Piqueras (2:05.454), HDR Speed RS’ Celestino Vietti (2:05.500) and Dynavolt IntactGP’s Senna Agius (2:05.524).
moto2 qp
More from a press release issued by MotoGP:
Alonso clinches maiden pole, Holgado P16 in Austin. For the first time in Moto2, the Colombian will launch from pole as the championship leader gets ready to go from Row 6 after coming through Q1.
For the first time in Moto2, David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) will launch from pole position after converting a dominant Friday into a P1 on Saturday afternoon. The 2024 Moto3 World Champion will be joined on the front row in Austin by Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with championship pacesetter Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) only P16 having come through Q1.
Alonso set a storming 2:05.203, a new all-time lap record, to finish just under a tenth and a half away from an improved Baltus, with the Belgian starting from the front row for the first time this year despite a late tumble in Q2. Lopez beat compatriot Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI) to the front row as the rookie earns his best Moto2 qualifying result in P4 – but the Spaniard faces a double Long Lap penalty on Sunday.
Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) complete the second row in the United States, with the Australian’s teammate Manuel Gonzalez starting from P10. That means the top two in the championship don’t feature on the front three rows on the grid.
Home hero Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will be hunting a good points haul from 11th on the grid, that’s the Californian’s best qualifying result of 2026, as we now strap in for what looks set to be a Moto2 cracker at COTA on Sunday.
Tune in to watch it at 13:15 local time!
