Jake Dixon took pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Motegi, in Japan. Riding his CFMOTO Inde Aspar Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the British covered the 2.9-mile (4.8 km) track in 1:52.693.
Zonta Vd Goorbergh was the best of the rest with a 1:52.699 on his RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP Kalex, and Fantic Racing rider Aron Canet claimed the third and final spot on the front with a time of 1:53.000 on his Kalex.
American Joe Roberts finished fourth in qualifying with a 1:53.002 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
The #96 will start the Japanese GP from pole position after setting a strong early time, which proved to be crucial.
Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) will start the Motul Grand Prix of Japan from pole position after a brave time from the British rider. The #96 set an early 1:52.693, which proved to be crucial as track conditions worsened due to rain. Dixon will start from pole, ending Q2 a mere 0.006s ahead of Zonta Van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) in an impressive result from the #84. Meanwhile, Aron Canet brought his Triumph-powered Fantic Racing machine to third on the grid, clocking a 1:53.000 as the Spaniard sets his sights on repeating his success from Indonesia.
Drama from the start of Q2
Practice 2 began Saturday’s action, with nobody able to improve on their time from Friday after mixed conditions due to rain overnight, seeing Canet taking the top spot as Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) remained quickest overall. However, once Q1 got underway, Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) set a stunning 1:49.711, earning a spot in Q2 alongside Van den Goorbergh, Barry Baltus (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) and Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI).
It was a dramatic start to Q2, with Dixon bagging provisional pole in the opening laps as the rain began to fall. The #96 led in the early stages from Van den Goorbergh and Canet. Meanwhile, Filip Salac (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was 18th in the early stages after the #12 left it late to post a time. The rain continued to fall, with the majority of the field returning to the pits and Dixon clinching pole positions.
Aldeguer and Garcia left with work to do
Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will start from fourth on the grid in a great result from the #16. The American heads a talented second row of the grid alongside Izan Guevara, who capped off a great day for the CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team. The #28 will be joined by the returning Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) in sixth on the grid.
Meanwhile, Barry Baltus brought his RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP machine to seventh on the grid, placing ahead of Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp). The #21 was the top Boscoscuro rider at the end of proceedings, finishing in front of Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI).
Further back, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) will line up from 15th on the grid, while Garcia is left with work to do from 17th position on the grid. The #3 will start alongside Salac, who, after looking unstoppable on Friday, was unable to find time late in the session – qualifying in 18th.
Make sure you join us on Sunday as we prepare to go racing at Motegi with lights out at 12:15 local time (UTC +9)!