Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Moto2: Simoncelli grabs provisional pole

Championship leader Marco Simoncelli dominated the first qualifying session for this weekend's 250cc Grand Prix at Misano

The Italian, who lives nearby the circuit, did to the 250 class what Casey Stoner earlier did to the MotoGP class and pulled well clear of the rest of the field.

It was a close battle for pole until six minutes to go, when Simoncelli posted an incredible 1:38.400 to go seven tenths clear at the top.

Thomas Luthi was first to close the gap, with a 1:39.1, but Hector Barbera pinched second place from him just seconds later, breaking into the 1:38s.

Hiroshi Aoyama was fourth on the first of the KTMs, ahead of Yuki Takahashi and Julian Simon.

Simoncelli's nearest title rival, Mika Kallio, could only manage seventh fastest and even that took a last-gasp effort after he was outside the top ten for most of the session.

But the third and fourth placed riders in the championship had an even worse time. Alex Debon and Alvaro Bautista, who finished first and second last time out at Brno, were 15th and 12th quickest respectively.

Pos Rider              Team                         Time             Laps
 1. Marco Simoncelli    Metis Gilera                1:38.400           21
 2. Hector Barbera      Team Toth Aprilia           1:38.912  + 0.512  21
 3. Thomas Luthi        Emmi - Caffe Latte          1:39.109  + 0.709  23
 4. Hiroshi Aoyama      Red Bull KTM 250            1:39.233  + 0.833  22
 5. Yuki Takahashi      JiR Team Scot 250           1:39.420  + 1.020  20
 6. Julian Simon        Repsol KTM 250cc            1:39.476  + 1.076  21
 7. Mika Kallio         Red Bull KTM 250            1:39.504  + 1.104  22
 8. Mattia Pasini       Polaris World               1:39.546  + 1.146  22
 9. Hector Faubel       Mapfre Aspar Team           1:39.551  + 1.151  21
10. Aleix Espargaro     Lotus Aprilia               1:39.677  + 1.277  20
11. Roberto Locatelli   Metis Gilera                1:39.828  + 1.428  19
12. Alvaro Bautista     Mapfre Aspar Team           1:39.853  + 1.453  22
13. Lukas Pesek         Auto Kelly - CP             1:39.956  + 1.556  19
14. Fabrizio Lai        Campetella Racing           1:40.176  + 1.776  19
15. Alex Debon          Lotus Aprilia               1:40.186  + 1.786  21
16. Eugene Laverty      Blusens Aprilia             1:40.317  + 1.917  19
17. Karel Abraham       Cardion AB Motoracing       1:40.360  + 1.960  21
18. Ratthapark Wilairot Thai Honda PTT SAG          1:40.407  + 2.007  20
19. Alex Baldolini      Matteoni Racing             1:40.732  + 2.332  20
20. Federico Sandi      Matteoni Racing             1:42.099  + 3.699  20
21. Manuel Hernandez    Blusens Aprilia             1:43.150  + 4.750  21
22. Doni Tata Pradita   Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia  1:43.372  + 4.972  21
23. Simone Grotzkyj     Campetella Racing           1:43.386  + 4.986  19
24. Toni Wirsing        Racing Team Germany         1:43.421  + 5.021  18
25. Imre Toth           Team Toth Aprilia           1:44.447  + 6.047  18

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Moto2: Debon wins breathless race at Brno
Next article Moto2: Barbera beats Simoncelli to pole

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe