Second straight pole at Sepang for Simón

Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar), the only man who can still stop Toni Elías from claiming the Moto2 title, qualified in pole position at Sepang on Saturday with a best time of 2’08.562. The Spaniard was almost two-tenths faster than Alex de Angelis, who qualified in second place and had been quickest in both practice sessions.

It was Simón’s third pole of 2010 – his second in succession – as he continues his search for a first Moto2 win and following him and De Angelis onto the front row was Lüthi in third. For the Swiss rider of the Interwetten Moriwaki team it was a first front-row qualification since the Catalunya GP at the start of July. Completing the front line of the starting grid is Elías, who is aiming to wrap up the inaugural Moto2 World Championship in Sunday’s race, an outcome which depends on Simón’s result as well.

Roberto Rolfo (Italtrans STR), Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up), Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) and Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team) all booked places on the second row, with Michael Ranseder (Vector Kiefer Racing), Alex Debón (Aeroport de Castelló-Ajo), Dominique Aegerter (Technomag-CIP) and Claudio Corti (Forward Racing) comprising the third.

There were falls during the session for Simone Corsi (JiR Moto2) – who was unable to return to the track and set a qualification time due to his damaged bike – as well as Debón, Mashel Al Naimi (Blusens-STX) and Malaysian wild card rider Mohamad Zamri Baba (Petronas SIC TWMR Malaysia).