Moto2 Andalucia: Bezzecchi holds off Lowes for first Moto2 pole
Marco Bezzecchi claimed his first Moto2 pole position in qualifying for the Moto2 Andalucian Grand Prix.
The Sky Racing Team VR46 rider got in a strong early lap of 1m 41.728s which held firm despite some late competition from Sam Lowes.
The Italian’s first pole in the intermediate class is all the more impressive as he secures it while recovering from his leg injury - he still needs crutches to walk in the paddock.
Lowes improves by one position on the grid from last weekend in Jerez for EG 0,0 Marc VDS after his late assault on the top spot. The British rider was lacking in only the final sector as the track temperatures hit new heights. He finished just 0.037s short of pole.
Enea Bastianini came through Q1 to complete the all Kalex front row for the Italtrans team.
Jorge Navarro looked to be at war with his beta Tools Speed Up, wrestling it to reach it’s full potential to climb to fourth.
He is joined on row two by Jerez race winner Luca Marini, who will be aiming for back-to-back wins from fifth.
Sixth went to Jerez polesitter Jorge Martin. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was a podium finisher last time out.
Top rookie performer Aron Canet slots into seventh after a consistent performance for Openbank Aspar.
Nicolo Bulega looked to be back to his old self as he fought to eighth for Federal Oil Gresini. Behind him are the Liqui Moly Intact GP pair of Tom Luthi in ninth and Marcel Schrotter in tenth. The German has struggled to find form since setting the Jerez lap record last weekend.
Championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima was taken to the medial centre after his FP3 crash and was a doubt for a session. It was understandable that he was not immediately back to his best. The Japanese rider qualified down in 15th.
Moto3 reigning champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta has still not found his flow after moving up to the intermediate class. The Italtrans rider did not make it out of Q1, so starts down in 25th.
British rider Jake Dixon was also among those to miss out. After making the Q2 cut last time out, he could only manage a best of 7th in Q1. That leaves him down in 21st on the grid.
