A final flying lap effort from Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) saw the Italian edge out compatriot Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) in the battle for pole position in Moto3™ Q2 at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. 0.067s split the duo as Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) comes through Q1 to claim a fantastic P3, as we see World Championship leader Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) struggle to P15.
A little bit of @M16NO magic! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 9, 2022
His first pole position of 2022! ????#Moto3 | #AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/jhOBY5w8aV
Migno vs Foggia for pole
Joining the fray in the Q2 shootout from Q1 were Artigas, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team), Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) and Elia Bartolini (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team), as 15 minutes in glorious sunshine would decide the grid for the Moto3™ race.
Guevara set the early pace with a 2:16.609 as Foggia sat P9 after his first effort, but the times would tumble on the next set of flying times. Migno was then the leader in Q2 by 0.127s over Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3), with Foggia climbing to P4 with six and a half minutes to go. As he always tries to do, the 2021 runner-up was lapping alone.
On his fifth flying lap, having not pitted for fresh rubber, Foggia pulled a phenomenal final sector out the hat and went P1 by 0.058s with just under two minutes to go. That was then 0.086s as Foggia improved again, but on their final laps, Migno and Artigas bettered the Italian. However, Foggia was going once more but his last attempt wasn’t enough – Migno bagged pole by 0.067s from Foggia.
Where did @dennisfoggia71 find that time?! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 9, 2022
The Rocket hits the top in the closing minutes! ????#Moto3 | #AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/k5UoqGEnZB
Work to do for Garcia
Öncü will start from P4 in Austin with Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and rookie Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) joining the Turkish rider on the second row. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power), Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) and Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top 10. Garcia, the title leader and Argentina GP winner, has a mountain to climb from P15 on Sunday.
Make sure you tune into the Moto3™ race at a later time than usual in Austin – lights go green at 14:30 for the lightweight class.
Top 10:
1. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) – 2:15:814
2. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 0.067
3. Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP + 0.252
4. Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Tech3) + 0.516
5. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.595
6. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) + 0.602
7. Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.737
8. Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) + 0.768
9. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.790
10. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) +0.795