Daniel Holgado was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Petronas Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia. The Spaniard topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team Kalex, Holgado navigated the 3.44-mile (5.54 km) course in 2:02.858, breaking Jake Dixon’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.633, he set this morning in FP2.
Barry Baltus was second-best with a 2:03.420 on his Fantic Racing Kalex.
Jake Dixon claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:03.449 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Boscoscuro.
Row-two qualifiers included ITALJET Gresini’s Albert Arenas (2:03.483), Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Daniel Muñoz (2:03.581) and CFMOTO RCB Aspar’s David Alonso (2:03.586).
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session 11th with a best time of 2:03.904 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Holgado produces late stunner as Gonzalez and Moreira clash. The rookie sets a blistering new lap record to land pole position by over half a second, as things get heated between the title contenders in Q2.
Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) will start the Moto2 Malaysian GP from pole position after setting a late, scintillating new lap record to clinch pole by over half a second. The rookie’s sublime 2:02.858 was by far the best lap of a mouthwatering Q2 that saw the tension between title contenders Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) ramp up, as Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) and Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) complete the front row.
Why were tensions raised, you might ask? Well, in the early stages, Moreira overtook Gonzalez at Turn 1 as the time attacks began. That shoved the Spaniard slightly wide and ruined his opening lap, as the championship leader then lunged up the inside of the Brazilian at Turn 2 to return the favour.
It’s a moment that lights up an already fascinating title race, and something else that adds an extra dose of spice into the mix is the fact that Moreira was forced to settle for P16 on the grid after the #10 made a mistake on his final flying lap at Turn 4. Gonzalez, meanwhile, was able to salvage P7, one place ahead of third overall Aron Canet (Fantic Racing).
The second row consists of Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Catalan GP podium finisher Daniel Muñoz (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and last weekend’s second place finisher David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team), as full focus now turns to Gonzalez vs Moreira on Sunday.
But don’t discount Canet from this championship chase just yet, as front row starters Baltus and Dixon also set out to keep their title hopes alive tomorrow. Plus, Holgado is out to clinch the Rookie of the Year accolade.