Suzuki seals SIC58 pole at Misano

SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki secured a magnificent at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli pole position at the GP Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, an emotional Q2 P1 at the team’s home circuit sees the Japanese rider head title contender Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) on the front row.

The first flying laps came in and it was Q1 graduate Suzuki who set the initial benchmark, with Arbolino his closest challenger as the Italian sat 0.127 off. Meanwhile, Free Practice pacesetter Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) – thanks to exceeding track limits - and title contender Canet – a Q1 graduate - were yet to set a time as the clocked ticked down below five minutes, with drama unfolding on track for Championship leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing).

The Italian had set a lap fast enough for provisional P5 but at Turn 9 on his fourth lap, Dalla Porta was down. Luckily, he was able to ride his Honda back to the pits but it was all hands on deck for one side of the Leopard team to get the number 48 ready for the final pole position dash.

Misano fell silent. The 18 Q2 contenders were sat waiting inside their boxes until the three-minute barrier fell – the riders would get just one flying lap to try and claim P1. Bad news for Dalla Porta, he couldn’t get out in time to set a lap. The question now: would he keep P5? Both Rodrigo and Canet started their laps very well, the latter was under Suzuki’s time by a tenth as the top four took the chequered flag, with John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashing at Turn 4 on his final lap.

Rodrigo went P10 but he ran slightly wide at the final corner, the Argentine would see both his laps cancelled for exceeding track limits. Meanwhile, Canet had no such problems to launch himself to P2 – a phenomenal lap from the Spaniard. Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) was another solid mover on the final flying laps as the Italian went to P5, but no one would beat Suzuki as the Japanese rider took pole position for SIC58 Squadra Corse at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Canet and Arbolino will line up alongside the number 24 on the front row, with Jaume Masia (WWR) getting bumped down to P4 after Canet’s late charge. Vietti heads compatriot Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in fifth and sixth respectively, the latter coming through as the fastest man in Q1. Last year’s winner Dalla Porta was shunted to seventh after his crash, not a disaster for the title leader but with main rival Canet on the front row, quick progress will be needed for Dalla Porta on Sunday. Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team’ Albert Arenas and WWR’s Andrea Migno completed the top 10 in Moto3™ Q2.

A sensational maiden pole for Suzuki sends emotions flying in the SIC58 camp, but Sunday is where it counts. Canet vs Dalla Porta will be the main focal point as the Championship fight continues, but there are a whole host of riders who will be in it to win. Catch the lightweight class fight live at 11:00 local time (GMT+2)!

Top 10:
1. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) 1:42.844
2. Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.121
3. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) + 0.127
4. Jaume Masia (WWR) + 0.207
5. Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR47) + 0.250
6. Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.327
7. Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) + 0.341
8. Albert Arenas (Sama Qatar Angel Nieto Team) + 0.453
9. Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) + 0.492
10. Andrea Migno (WWR) + 0.525

Click here for the full results!