Manuel Gonzalez was the man to beat during Moto2 World qualifying Saturday at Lusail International Circuit, in Doha, Qatar. The Spaniard topped qualifying session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex, Gonzalez navigated the 3.34-mile (5.38 km) course in 1:56.301, breaking Aron Canet’s 2024 All-Time Lap Record of 1:56.788.

The Brit Jake Dixon was second-best with a 1:56.469 on his ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Boscoscuro.

Spanish rider, Aron Canet claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:56.593 on his Fantic Racing Lino Sonego Kalex.

American Joe Roberts will start the race from Row 8, in 23th place on his American Racing Team Kalex.

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Gonzalez back on top to deny Dixon Doha pole. The duel continues in the desert as the #18 hit backs under the floodlights. 

Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) is on pole for the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar, taking to the top by a tenth and a half to deny key rival Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) as the Brit was forced to settle for second.

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) completes a front row of familiar names, another tenths in arrears as he looks to kick start his 2025 title charge.

Q1: surprise names, expected graduates

In Q1 it was 2025 podium finish Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) moving through in the Triumph-powered push for Q2, the Australian just edging out Filip Salac (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team). Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) and Celestino Vietti (Team HDR Heidrun) joined them in moving through, with all four names who would expect more from qualifying – but got through to the fight for pole.

Q2: Gonzalez strikes back

It’s been almost a two-rider story so far in 2025 at the top and Gonzalez made it true again under the floodlights. He was on provisional pole as Dixon took a crack at it but could only manage second, but the two will expect to fight it out over race distance – and Canet, in third, will try and stop them.

Fourth is Albert Arenas (Italjet Gresini Moto2) as his weekend of impressive pace continued in qualifying, and the same can be true of rookie Daniel Holgado (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team) in fifth. Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (RW – Idrofoglia Racing GP) completes Row 2.

Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Salac, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) and Marcos Ramirez (American Racing Team) complete the top ten ahead of rookie David Alonso (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team).

For full results click HERE and come back for more Moto2 on Sunday!