Moto2 Catalunya: Surprise Pole for Quartararo

Fabio Quartararo made a massive jump in his improvement over the last few rounds to secure an unexpected pole ahead of the Moto2 Catalan Grand Prix.

The French rider, who is still just nineteen, looked to have his HDR-Speed Up under control with the bike suiting the track. The number 20 started the session by working on his pace on old tyres, then switched to new and leapt into pole position with a best of 1m 43.474s.

Quartararo then came close to besting his top time on his final run, falling just short in the final sector, but pleased to have his first Moto2 pole in the bag.

Last seasons pole man and winner at Montmelo, Alex Marquez, was the first rider to show late pace but could not hold on to the top spot, finishing second for EG 0,0 Marc VDS on his Kalex.

Marcel Schrotter set the early pace and his best lap was good enough to hold on to a front row slot for his Dynavolt Intact GP team.

Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia got up to speed in theclosing stages but finished fourth for Sky Racing Team VR46.

Brad Binder impressed in fifth for Red Bull KTM Ajo and outshone his unusually off the pace team-mate Miguel Oliveira who could only manage to move up to 17th late in the session.

Mugello pole-sitter Mattia Pasini starts sixth for Italtrans.

Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) came off at turn one halfway through qualifying but had done enough for seventh.

Lining up next to him on the grid is top rookie Joan Mir in eighth on the second EG 0,0 Marc VDS entry. The final spot on row three went to Sam Lowes whos late pace pushed him up the timesheets for Swiss Innovative Investors.

Lorenzo Baldassarri completed the top ten best qualifiers for Pons HP40, a good recovery after an early trip into the gravel at turn 12.