The CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar rider was the fastest on the first day of practice and improved the all-time track record by half a second
Dani Holgado has been the dominant force at the start of the Qatar Grand Prix. Just like Máximo Quiles in Moto3, the CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar rider has topped both sessions in the intermediate class. The Spaniard has set a new record at the Lusail circuit, becoming the only rider to lap in 1:55. Behind him, Filip Salac finished in second place, followed by the two Moto2 title contenders: Izan Guevara in third and Manu González in fourth. David Alonso has also secured his place in tomorrow’s Q2 after setting the seventh-fastest time in the category.
CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar has set the bar high right from the first practice session in Qatar. Dani Holgado showed he was in great form from the moment he took to the track and was the fastest rider in free practice, whilst his team-mate David Alonso also finished in the top ten. In the afternoon, the positions securing direct entry to Q2 were decided under the floodlights at the Lusail International Circuit, with Holgado once again taking centre stage. The Spaniard shaved almost a second off his best time and was also the only rider to lap in under 1:56, enabling him to set a new all-time circuit record (1:55.987). His team-mate David Alonso had to give it his all to avoid Q1. With just a few minutes remaining, the Colombian was still outside the top fourteen, but in the final laps he climbed up the standings to set the seventh-fastest time (1:56.897). Both riders will continue working tomorrow to fine-tune the set-up and fight for a good position on the starting grid in Qatar.
1st Dani Holgado 1:55.897: “I’m very happy with today’s work. We’ve led both sessions and that shows I’m quick here in Qatar. Last year this circuit was the first one where I was truly competitive, and this year I’ve also got off to a great start to the weekend. We need to keep our feet on the ground: even though it’s been a good day, it’s only Friday and we need to keep working to see where we can improve. In the first session I did a run of twelve or thirteen laps and felt very comfortable; everything was flowing really well. When you’re aiming for a very fast, explosive lap, it’s easy to make mistakes because you’re going flat out, and that’s where I can also learn a lot about where the limits are. I think there are a few things we can improve on the bike; they’re small details, but that’s where the difference is made. As for how I’m feeling, I feel great. In this category, it’s very difficult to be consistent all the time, and as soon as you have a problem, it’s easy to find yourself out of the top five. I’ve been really happy in the last few races – not so much because of the results, but because I’m enjoying myself. That’s when everything falls into place. My aim is to carry on like this, regardless of the results; it’s a lovely feeling. Tomorrow we’ll do a race simulation, and in qualifying we’ll need to push hard to get a good result.”
7th David Alonso 1:56.384 (+0.487): “Today has been a positive day. The track has been in very good condition since the first session. Naturally, it’s at night when you can ride fastest, and today the lap times have been very fast overall. I’m not badly placed, but I’ve had to grit my teeth to set this time. The cornering is incredibly fast and we’ve managed to improve in that area today, but we need to try and make it feel more natural tomorrow. Conditions change a lot from the first session to the afternoon, so I’m sure we’ll be able to take another step forward in tomorrow’s qualifying session.”
