Fermin Aldeguer was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Phillip Island, in Australia. The Spaniard rider topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro, Aldeguer navigated the 2.76-mile (4.4 km) course in 1:30.876, breaking his own’s 2023 All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.888.
Spanish veteran Aron Canet was second-best with a 1:31.072 on his Fantic Racing Kalex.
Aldeguer’s teammate, Alonso Lopez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:31.144.
American Joe Roberts suffered a broken scaphoid on his right hand after a crash in today’s Practice 2 session. After assessment in the medical center, he has been declared unfit for the rest of the weekend.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aldeguer outshines Canet in the battle for pole position, Ogura P9. The Spaniard will start the Australian GP from pole after an intense battle with Canet and Lopez in Q2.
Aldeguer vs Canet in Q2
It was tricky conditions on Saturday morning, with Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) securing top spot in Practice 2, but due to overnight rain, Aldeguer remained at the top of the combined standings after a brilliant 1:32.718 on Friday. Once Q1 got underway, home hero Agius broke the lap record, securing a Q2 spot alongside Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team), Ayumu Sakaki (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) and Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP).
Once Q2 began, Aldeguer unleashed an impressive pace, topping the timesheets on the opening lap before being demoted to third by Canet and Agius. The #54 soon responded, destroying the lap record and continuing to push. However, Aldeguer’s dominance did not last long as Canet found a chunk of time in the final sector as the battle for pole went down to the wire, where after being held up initially, the #54 found further time on his final lap and took P1 after an unbelievable lap.
Ogura back on the third row
Marcos Ramirez narrowly missed out on the front row and will line up in fourth and as the sole OnlyFans American Racing Team rider on the grid after Joe Roberts was declared unfit due to a right scaphoid fracture. Ramirez will face tough competition on the second row, with Baltus landing P5 on the grid after fighting through Q1. Winner last time out, Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™), will start from sixth, aiming to fight at the front again on Sunday.
Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) spearheads the third row of the grid in seventh, finishing less than half a second adrift from the front row. Albert Arenas will start alongside Moreira as the #75 rounds out a great qualifying for the Gresini Moto2™ squad. Arenas starts ahead of Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI), who suffered a crash in Practice 2 on Saturday morning and has work to do from ninth on the grid. Further back, Agius will start from P13 on the grid, setting sights on strong points at home.
The action continues Down Under as Moto2™ prepare to duel at Phillip Island, with lights out on Sunday at 12:15 local time (UTC +11), so make sure you tune into the action on motogp.com!