Pole position by 0.541s? That’s unheard of when the topic is Moto2, but that’s exactly the margin Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) clinched pole by at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia after notching up a blistering 2:02.875 in a Q2 session that saw rookie Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – MSI) claim a career-best P2, and title-hunting Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) stick it on the front row.
How significant that P3 will be for Guevara is unknown, but with World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) riding wounded after his Friday crash and now starting from P9, the onus is on the rider 5.5 points away in the championship to pounce on Sunday.
Fronting the second row after coming through the jungle of Q1 is Colombia’s David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team), with Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and Dutchman Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing a rapid Row 2.
Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) was another of the Q1 graduates; the Spaniard claimed P7 in Q2, as he and Daniel Muñoz (Italtrans Racing Team) sit ahead of Gonzalez on the third row. Right behind the title race leader on the grid? Third in the championship Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – MSI).
Moto2 qualifying results from Malaysia!