Stellar performances from Torres and Terol to score best grid positions of the year
The only dry session of the weekend so far proved to be the one that mattered for the Moto2 riders at the Motorland circuit as the constant rain briefly relented for qualifying practice. After a first half dominated by series leader Marc Marquez there was an entertaining fight for pole position in the latter stages, Simone Corsi eventually coming out on top in a battle between Italy and Spain that saw an equal split between the two nations for the top six positions on the grid.
Two of the three Spaniards were in MAPFRE Aspar colours, Jordi Torres and Nico Terol enjoying their best qualifying performances of the season to line up on tomorrow’s grid in fifth and sixth place respectively. Both riders showed courage and determination to push hard from the start of the session despite uncertainty about the track conditions, Torres making steady progress to lead the way with fourteen minutes remaining. A last run on new tyres could have seen him figure even higher up the grid but a crash put paid to his progress and he had to content himself with a super second row start. A stunning final lap from his team-mate Terol means the pair will start alongside each other in front of their home crowd tomorrow.
5th Jordi Torres 1.54.787 (16 laps): “I went out this afternoon safe in the knowledge that I am familiar with the track and I could push hard from the start. As soon as I saw my name up there near the top it gave me even more motivation and it’s just a shame I crashed at the end because I could have qualified even higher. I am sorry for the team because they’ve done a great job and the bike is working perfectly but the important thing is we are ready for tomorrow whether it is wet or dry. We’ll give it everything from the start and try to stay with the front group. I want to keep learning about this category and there is no better way to do that than running at the front. I am happy to be in fifth place and hopefully we can keep this form up tomorrow.”
6th Nico Terol 1.54.828 (18 laps): “I was a little unsure before we went out this afternoon because we hadn’t ridden in the dry but I pushed hard and tried to maintain a strong pace. My lap times were good from the first run and we were able to keep lowering the times to a 1.55.0. I tried to find a little more from myself and managed a 54.8 so I am really happy, especially because I set the time on my own. I felt comfortable in the dry and I am confident we can fight or a good result tomorrow. A second row start is very positive so I have to make the most of it by getting away well and sticking with the leaders. Hopefully this can be the weekend where we take the final step and finish it off with a good result.”
Source: Aspar Team Press Release
