Simon looking to secure runner-up spot in Moto2 championship

Qualifying practice for the final round of the Moto2 season took place at Valencia this afternoon and although Stefan Bradl and Scott Redding threatened to spoil the local party pole position finally went to Toni Elías. However, with the top 21 riders lapping within a second of each other today nothing can be taken for granted when the red lights go out for the last time this year. With the runner-up spot in the champoinship still to be decided, the vociferous home crowd are sure to give their support to Mapfre Aspar rider Julián Simón.

Simón had a problem with the information on his dash throughout the session this afternoon, which his mechanics battled with and finally solved with ten minutes remaining, allowing the Spaniard to attack for a fast lap. In the end he was seventh but a mere 0.374 seconds off pole, giving him hope of a challenge for victory tomorrow. His team-mate Mike Di Meglio also had an unfortunate afternoon, crashing with half an hour remaining and unable to improve on 30th place despite returning to the track for the final few minutes.

7th Julián Simón 1.36.515 (16 laps): “This morning we were strong throughout the session and I was hopeful of challenging for pole but we ran out of luck in the afternoon. We are on the front row so we are close and that is important – it could have been worse. The electronics had a fault but we worked hard to fix it and I finished the session with a good rhythm. Iannone will be fighting at the front because he wants second in the championship just as much as me but I’m sure I can be in the lead group too. My plan is to win tomorrow. I want to enjoy the last race of the year and I have the pace to be in there at the end.”

Source: Mapfre Aspar Team