Espargaro qualifies 2nd despite crash, Rabat happy with 7th, Pons out for points from 22nd
Only 0.044 seconds kept Pol Espargaró from his fourth consecutive pole position in the Moto2 class and he will start tomorrow’s race at Misano from the second position on the grid. The Pons 40 HP Tuenti rider crashed out when he was about to improve his laptime and he wasn’t able to try again for another shot at pole position, luckily keeping his second position until the end of the qualifying session.
Positive has also been the seventh place of Tito Rabat, one of his best qualifying results of the season, which will see him start from the third row and with all options to fight for the podium.
Teammate Axel Pons was not able to repeat his good practice results from Brno and finished the qualifying in 22nd position, although his laptime is only 1.2 seconds behind pole position.
2. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.38.286 “I had a pretty silly crash when I had everything together to get the pole position, because in that lap I was improving and I still had another one left to try again. The important thing is that I didn’t hurt myself, that I was able to keep second position and that the bike is ready for the race tomorrow. I crashed in a corner which doesn’t cause many problems, but in which coincidentally several riders crashed today. We practiced only little in the dry, but I think we’re good to be competitive in the race and I’m confident I’m able to fight for the victory.”
7. TITO RABAT, 1.38.699 “I’m happy because I’ve got the confidence with the bike and doing a bit better in a couple of corners I can fight for the podium. I did one of the best qualifyings of the year and with a good start I think I’m prepared to keep up with the pace at the front. I’m working hard, I feel good on the bike and I’m improving my laptime in every run.”
22. AXEL PONS, 1.39.486 “I’m not very happy, because I couldn’t do my laptimes like last race in Brno. It affected me a lot to only have two dry sessions and I have to add that last year I didn’t ride here in Misano and I have less references than most of the riders. Despite all that I’m not so far from the front and with a good start I’m convinced I can finish in the points again.”
Source: Pons Racing Press Release
