Diogo Moreira was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, in Italy. The Brazilian topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Italtrans Racing Team Kalex, the poleman navigated the 3.26-mile (5.24 km) course in 1:49.745, breaking Joe Roberts’ 2024 All-Time Lap Record of 1:49.877.
Spanish veteran Aron Canet was second-best with a 1:49.831 on his Fantic Racing Lino Sonego Kalex.
Albert Arenas claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:49.857 on his Italjet Gresini Moto2 Kalex.
American Joe Roberts finished Saturday’s qualifying session 18th with a best time of 1:50.866 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Moreira collects second consecutive Moto2 pole. The Brazilian will sit ahead of Canet on the front row at Mugello.
For the second consecutive Grand Prix, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) will launch the Moto2 race from pole position after the Brazilian beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) on Saturday afternoon thanks to a 1:49.745. Meanwhile, Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) starts on the front row for the first time this season in P3.
In a dramatic Q2 that saw Practice pacesetter Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crash in the closing stages amongst a busy and slow-moving Moto2 pack, Moreira’s Kalex-Triumph machine was clipped by the stricken Boscoscuro bike which put an end to his session. However, it didn’t cost the #10 pole, as Canet’s cancelled lap gets reinstated after the session to see Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) pushed back to P4.
Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) will begin the Grand Prix from P5, with Q1 graduate and Aragon GP winner Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing Row 2 in Italy.
Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) is the lead home hero in P7, with Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) set to start from eighth – but the Belgian suffered a big highside with a few minutes remaining. Baltus headed to the medical centre for a check-up after the session, hopefully he’s all OK for Sunday’s outing.
Tune into what looks set to be a brilliant Moto2 battle from Mugello at 12:15!
