Roberts smashes lap record to beat Vietti to Qatar pole

The American took his first his fourth career pole in Moto2™ ahead of Vietti and Canet

Italtrans Racing's Joe Roberts will start on pole position for Sunday's Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar after setting a new all-time lap record at Lusail - a 1:57.305 - to beat Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) by just 0.007s. The Italian fought his way up from Q1 to bag himself a spot in the middle of the front row, as Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) gets set to line up alongside them on the front row after the Spaniard finished just 0.021s behind Vietti to take 3rd place in Q2. 

Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) has been the rider of the moment since the green flag dropped on Friday but the Spaniard had to settle for P4, with the #54 joined on the second row by British stars Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) - the duo powering their Triumph machines to 5th and 6th respectively. 

The third row of the grid went to the 2023 World Champion Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). The #37 has compatriot Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) for company as the trio claimed 7th, 8th, and 9th, with Alonso Lopez (BetaTools SpeedUp) settling for P10 after his flying lap came to an abrupt end with the red flag coming out in the final 30 seconds. 

Make sure not to miss any of the Moto2™ action set to commence on Sunday at 18:15 local time (GMT +3).

Top 10

1 Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) 1:57.305
2 Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) +0.007
3 Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) +0.028
4 Fermin Aldeguer (SpeedUp Racing) +0.127
5 Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.436
6 Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) +0.499
7 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.541
8 Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) +0.644
9 Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) +0.728
10 Alonso Lopez (SpeedUp Racing) +0.787


FULL RESULTS!

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