Diogo Moreira was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Phillip Island, in Australia. The Brazilian rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Italtrans Racing Team Kalez, Moreira navigated the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) course in 1:29.817, breaking his own’s 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 1:30.307 he set Friday afternoon during the practice session.
Home Hero Senna Agius was second-best with a 1:29.828 on his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex.
His teammate, Manuel Gonzalez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:29.893.
Row-two qualifiers included ELF Marc VDS’s Jake Dixon (1:29.993) CFMOTO Power Electronics’s Daniel Holgado (1:29.995) and David Alonso (1:30.107).
American Joe Roberts finished the qualifying session 19th on his OnlyFans American Racing Kalex.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Moreira pips Australia’s Agius to Phillip Island pole. The Brazilian beat the Aussie by just 0.011s and Championship leader Gonzalez earns front row start.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) will start the Moto2 Australian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday after a dramatic, tantalising Q2 played out at Phillip Island. Home hero Senna Agius will line up in the middle of the front row, with his Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP teammate Manuel Gonzalez completing a top three that was split by a slender 0.076s.
Moreira’s 1:29.817 was the first sub-1:30 lap time around the famous Island in Moto2 as the #10 enjoyed a flawless session – but the same can’t be said for Aron Canet (Fantic Racing). The rider third overall crashed at Turn 4 early in the session, so it was a race against time to get the #44 back out on track.
In the end they did, for one lap, as a fascinating fight for pole unfolded. Moreira ended up beating his lap time but it was chalked off for yellow flags, with both Agius and Gonzalez going so close to a Saturday P1. It wasn’t enough for pole position, but that’s a juicy Moto2 front row for the Grand Prix – and one to celebrate for Agius on home turf.
The second row is stacked too. Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) lines up in P4 ahead of Q1 graduate Daniel Holgado, with the latter’s CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar teammate David Alonso completing that second row. Ayumu Sasaki (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) is P7, one place ahead of Canet, who nailed that flying lap at the end of the session to jump into the top 10. That could be the most important lap of his season so far.
With Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) qualifying in P10, one place behind Darryn Binder (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), the top runners in Moto2’s 2025 title chase are in the mix. Tune into the Moto2 Grand Prix at 13:15 local time to see if there are any more championship twists before we head to Malaysia.