Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) has broken new ground at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, destroying the lap record and storming to a magnificent pole position. Aldeguer became the first Moto2™ rider to break into the 1:30 bracket at Phillip Island, earning a 0.196s advantage over Aron Canet (Fantic Racing). The #44 showed incredible consistency throughout Q2 but was unable to dip into the 1:30 bracket and match the Aldeguer’s pace. Meanwhile, Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) rounded out the front row, securing a late P3 on his final flying lap.
The first ever #Moto2 pole position in the 30s 🤯
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 19, 2024
A SUPER record time right in the last moment by @Aldeguer54 🔥#AustralianGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/2sHjJfVyz7
Aldeguer vs Canet in Q2
It was tricky conditions on Saturday morning, with Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) securing top spot in Practice 2, but due to overnight rain, Aldeguer remained at the top of the combined standings after a brilliant 1:32.718 on Friday. Once Q1 got underway, home hero Agius broke the lap record, securing a Q2 spot alongside Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team), Ayumu Sakaki (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) and Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP).
He was improving by 2 tenths until this 👀
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 19, 2024
Traffic ruined the lap for @Aldeguer54 😠#AustralianGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6S5ldZsGCd
Once Q2 began, Aldeguer unleashed an impressive pace, topping the timesheets on the opening lap before being demoted to third by Canet and Agius. The #54 soon responded, destroying the lap record and continuing to push. However, Aldeguer's dominance did not last long as Canet found a chunk of time in the final sector as the battle for pole went down to the wire, where after being held up initially, the #54 found further time on his final lap and took P1 after an unbelievable lap.
Ogura back on the third row
Marcos Ramirez narrowly missed out on the front row and will line up in fourth and as the sole OnlyFans American Racing Team rider on the grid after Joe Roberts was declared unfit due to a right scaphoid fracture. Ramirez will face tough competition on the second row, with Baltus landing P5 on the grid after fighting through Q1. Winner last time out, Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™), will start from sixth, aiming to fight at the front again on Sunday.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) spearheads the third row of the grid in seventh, finishing less than half a second adrift from the front row. Albert Arenas will start alongside Moreira as the #75 rounds out a great qualifying for the Gresini Moto2™ squad. Arenas starts ahead of Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who suffered a crash in Practice 2 on Saturday morning and has work to do from ninth on the grid. Further back, Agius will start from P13 on the grid, setting sights on strong points at home.
The action continues Down Under as Moto2™ prepare to duel at Phillip Island, with lights out on Sunday at 12:15 local time (UTC +11), so make sure you tune into the action on motogp.com!
Top 10:
1 | Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) | 1:30.876 |
2 | Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) | +0.196 |
3 | Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) | +0.268 |
4 | Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) | +0.292 |
5 | Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) | +0.537 |
6 | Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) | +0.544 |
7 | Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) | +0.550 |
8 | Albert Arenas (Gresini Moto2™) | +0.576 |
9 | Ai Ogura (MT Helmets - MSI) | +0.579 |
10 | Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) | +0.700 |