The CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar rider set the third-fastest time in a qualifying session in which the track record was broken once again
Dani Holgado continues to be at his best and this Saturday was once again one of the fastest riders in the intermediate class, setting the third-fastest time in the Moto2 qualifying. The CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar rider gave it his all in an attempt to get closer to the fastest time, which on this occasion was set by Alex Escrig. Moto2 leader Manu González was second, just one tenth of a second behind Escrig, but a penalty has left him out of the front row and promoted Holgado to second of the grid, who will start second. As a result, Celestino Vietti will complete the front row in third place. David Alonso gave it his all in a qualifying session some very fast lap times and finished Q2 in twelfth place.
The CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar riders were once again among the fastest in this morning’s free practice session, with both finishing in the top five. This session allowed them to run through a race simulation to plan their strategy for Sunday’s race and, above all, to make the final adjustments ahead of qualifying. With Dani Holgado and David Alonso in Q2, the battle for the top spots on the starting grid forced them to give their very best in order to climb the timesheets. Dani Holgado is enjoying a real high following his pole position and podium finish in Malaysia, and this is reflected in his riding. The Spaniard improved his personal best of the weekend by four tenths of a second, and his time of 1:55.474 placed him third, two tenths of a second off pole position. Meanwhile, David Alonso also set his fastest time (1:55.946) and broke the 1:56 barrier for the first time in this Grand Prix during the timed session. The CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar rider fought to secure at least a place on the second row of the grid, but the fierce competition among the riders saw him drop back to twelfth place. However, the penalties imposed on numerous riders in the category also worked in the Colombian’s favour, allowing him to move up four places; he will start in eighth place tomorrow.
2nd Dani Holgado 1:55.474 (+0.233): “Today’s qualifying session was very tricky. More than just going fast, the difficult part was keeping my emotions in check. There were lots of riders trying to draft, and when you’ve got so many people behind you, it’s very easy to lose focus by thinking more about them than about your own job. I tried to stay calm amidst the chaos; on the first lap I was very tense, but I took a deep breath and on the second run I surpassed myself. I was two tenths off pole position, but my best lap was at my absolute limit. This morning I did a race simulation where I was able to complete many laps on the soft tyre. I felt good, although the tyre wears out a lot, especially on the right-hand side, but we’re all struggling with the same thing. I’ve tried to adapt to the trickiest sections so I’m better prepared for the race, but tomorrow is anyone’s guess. We’ll have to manage things very well, just like in Malaysia, but this time with the front tyre. The fact that Máximo Quiles wanted to take the Moto3 track record off me this morning is just a battle of egos – it’s always about seeing who’s got the biggest one. It’s all in good fun, just a bit of banter, but I did tell him, ‘Take it easy and don’t hurt yourself trying to set the record’. He always gives it his all, but for now I’m still holding the Moto3 track record.”
8th David Alonso 1:55.946 (+0.705): “Today’s qualifying session was very fast. For my part, I gave it my all to get the maximum speed. From twelfth to seventh place, we’re all more or less close to one another, but I couldn’t find the pace to get within the top five. Now it’s time to get on with preparing for tomorrow’s race and try to be faster in those sections where I struggled a bit more.”
