Moto2: Gardner denies Ogura Styrian pole position

The Moto2 World Championship returns to action this weekend at the Red Bull Ring for the Styrian Grand Prix. Remy Gardner topped the combined practice times ahead of qualifying on Saturday.

In Q1, Celestino Vietti looked certain to be advancing in one of the top four positions to Q2. However, a crash for the Italian with less than two minutes remaining in the session cost him two laps at the end, and they proved crucial as he dropped from second to fifth, and out of qualifying. For Vietti’s compatriot, Fabio Di Giannantonio, the session went better, and the #21 topped Q1, ahead of Hector Garzo, Albert Arenas and Stefano Manzi. 

Q2 belonged to Remy Gardner, who took pole position away from Ai Ogura with his penultimate lap. It was a shame for Ogura, who was looking at his first Moto2 pole position, but second place is in any case a strong result for the #79 rookie. Marco Bezzecchi completes the front row for tomorrow’s Styrian Grand Prix. 

Bezzecchi, though, was slightly fortunate about the positioning of his fellow VR46 Academy rider, Stefano Manzi, who – unintentionally – impeded Raul Fernandez’ final lap, which cost the MotoGP-bound Spaniard the front row. Instead, Fernandez will start from fourth, ahead of Aron Canet – by far the best Boscoscuro – and Augusto Fernandez. 

The second Marc VDS rider, Sam Lowes, will start seventh, alongside Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Somkiat Chantra on the third row; while Marcel Schrotter completed the qualifying top 10 and will line up tomorrow alongside Xavi Vierge and Fabio Di Giannantonio on row four.

Tom Luthi has seemed rejuvenated this weekend, but the Swiss could manage only 13th in qualifying, and will be joined by Hector Garzo and Albert Arenas on row five; while Marcos Ramirez, the aforementioned Manzi, and Tony Arbolino will make up the sixth row.

Vietti, as aforementioned, finished Q1 in fifth, so will start tomorrow from 19th, ahead of Joe Roberts and Jake Dixon on the seventh row. Behind, Bo Bendsneyder will head up row eight, ahead of Nicolo Bulega and Cameron Beaubier; while Jorge Navarro will start from the front of the ninth row ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri and Yari Montella. Hafizh Syahrin, Simone Corsi and Barry Baltus will start from the 10th and final row tomorrow.