Rodrigo holds on to become seventh Moto3™ poleman of 2019

Kömmerling Gresini Moto3’s Gabriel Rodrigo claimed a first pole position of the year despite running out of time in the closing stages to post one last flying lap at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. The Argentine now becomes the seventh different rider at the opening seven rounds of the Moto3™ season to start from pole.

Rodrigo set his fastest lap of 1:48.450 with half of the session still remaining before coming down pitlane and waiting for the final few minutes for a last gasp time attack in typical lightweight class fashion. However, not wanting to offer a slipstream and a helping hand to any of his rivals, he exited pitlane too late meaning he didn’t get the chance to post a final flying lap. Instead, he had to sit, watch and cross his fingers.

Completing the first row of the gird will be VNE Snipers’ Tony Arbolino, with the Italian GP winner continuing the form he showed at Mugello. SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki will start from fourth on the grid after progressing through from the earlier Q1 session. The Japanese rider is joined on the front row by World Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and another of the Q1 graduates in Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto).

Completing the first row of the gird will be VNE Snipers’ Tony Arbolino, with the Italian GP winner continuing the form he showed at Mugello. SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki will start from fourth on the grid after progressing through from the earlier Q1 session. The Japanese rider is joined on the front row by World Championship leader Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and another of the Q1 graduates in Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto).

Estrella Galicia 0,0’s Alonso Lopez will start his home round at the front of row three, where he is joined by compatriot Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai). Rounding out the third row is a disgruntled Lorenzo Dalla Porta, after the Leopard Racing rider was taken out by Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in the final moments of the session at Turn 5.

Antonelli starts from 17th on the grid after crashing not once but twice during the 15-minute session. Earlier, the Italian rode straight into the bike of wildcard Carlos Tatay (Fundacion Andreas Perez 77) after he slipped off at Turn 3, meaning the current leader in the Red Bull Rookies Cup will start his debut GP from 18th on the grid.

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