Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) will start the Moto2 Malaysian GP from pole position after setting a late, scintillating new lap record to clinch pole by over half a second. The rookie’s sublime 2:02.858 was by far the best lap of a mouthwatering Q2 that saw the tension between title contenders Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) ramp up, as Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) and Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) complete the front row.
Why were tensions raised, you might ask? Well, in the early stages, Moreira overtook Gonzalez at Turn 1 as the time attacks began. That shoved the Spaniard slightly wide and ruined his opening lap, as the championship leader then lunged up the inside of the Brazilian at Turn 2 to return the favour.
It's a moment that lights up an already fascinating title race, and something else that adds an extra dose of spice into the mix is the fact that Moreira was forced to settle for P16 on the grid after the #10 made a mistake on his final flying lap at Turn 4. Gonzalez, meanwhile, was able to salvage P7, one place ahead of third overall Aron Canet (Fantic Racing).
The second row consists of Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Catalan GP podium finisher Daniel Muñoz (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and last weekend’s second place finisher David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team), as full focus now turns to Gonzalez vs Moreira on Sunday.
But don’t discount Canet from this championship chase just yet, as front row starters Baltus and Dixon also set out to keep their title hopes alive tomorrow. Plus, Holgado is out to clinch the Rookie of the Year accolade.