Canet denies Dixon pole position in Indonesia

Moto2™ was back for further action at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) storming to a pole after a breathtaking lap. The #44 looked unstoppable in Q2 and will sleep well tonight after Canet consistently improved throughout the session to edge ahead of Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), with the #96 missing out by 0.069s. It was a tense finale, with Dixon producing a time to pip Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI). The #79 ended Saturday a further 0.001s behind Dixon and starts from third on Sunday.

Vital Q1 leads to dramatic Q2

Practice 2 was first on the menu for Saturday, in a session that produced some magical times, it was Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) who ended the session fastest as Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) was forced to fight in Q1 later on. In the Q1 battle, it was Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) who came out on top ahead of Garcia, Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP’s Barry Baltus, who all earned their spot to an intense Q2.

It would be a dramatic start to Q2 for Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with the Italian crashing in the opening five minutes. Meanwhile, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) turned up the pace, charging to provisional pole after the #44 set a 1:33.624. In the closing moments, Canet improved on his time, soon followed by Dixon and then Ogura, who secured their spots on the front row.

Garcia starts from 15th

Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) heads the second row of the grid after the Spaniard was unable to find the time needed in the final sector. The #18 will be joined on a competitive second row by Beta Tools SpeedUp’s Fermin Aldeguer and Alonso Lopez. Both riders were impressive in qualifying, entering the mid 1:33 bracket, ending Saturday just two-tenths away from Canet’s benchmark.

Back on row three on Sunday will be Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), with the Italian setting sights on redemption after missing out on victory last time out. Arbolino will have Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) for company in seventh and eighth as their attention turns to Sunday. Further back, MT Helmets – MSI’s Sergio Garcia showed an encouraging pace in Q2, ending the session in 15^th - 0.479s away from pole - as Moto2™ continues to look as unpredictable as ever.

Make sure you tune in for a thrilling Sunday as the Moto2™ Indonesian GP gets underway at 13:15 local time (UTC +8)!

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