Moto2: Elias takes pole for Moto2's debut
Toni Elias took pole position in the first ever qualifying session for the new Moto2 category
The Spaniard has dropped down from Gresini's MotoGP line-up to its newly-added Moto2 arm this year, and is riding injured having broken bones in his leg and hand in a testing crash.
But that did not stop him coming from behind to beat reigning 125cc champion Julian Simon (Aspar RSV) to pole position at Losail in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Stefan Bradl held provisional pole for a while and ended up third ahead of two more MotoGP converts in Alex de Angelis (Scot) and Yuki Takahasi (Tech 3). Jules Cluzel completed the top six for the championship's inaugural race.
Pos Rider Bike Time Gap 1. Toni Elias Moriwaki 2m01.904s 2. Julian Simon RSV 2m02.032s + 0.128s 3. Stefan Bradl Suter 2m02.038s + 0.134s 4. Alex de Angelis Scot 2m02.101s + 0.197s 5. Yuki Takahashi Tech 3 2m02.295s + 0.391s 6. Jules Cluzel Suter 2m02.366s + 0.462s 7. Raffaele de Rosa Tech 3 2m02.560s + 0.656s 8. Alex Debon FTR 2m02.759s + 0.855s 9. Shoya Tomizawa Suter 2m02.771s + 0.867s 10. Alex Baldolini ICP 2m02.866s + 0.962s 11. Sergio Gadea Pons Kalex 2m02.881s + 0.977s 12. Roberto Rolfo Suter 2m02.883s + 0.979s 13. Mike di Meglio RSV 2m02.896s + 0.992s 14. Gabor Talmacsi Speed Up 2m02.916s + 1.012s 15. Niccolo Canepa Scot 2m03.002s + 1.098s 16. Thomas Luthi Moriwaki 2m03.041s + 1.137s 17. Scott Redding Suter 2m03.129s + 1.225s 18. Mattia Pasini Motobi 2m03.155s + 1.251s 19. Ratthapark Wilairot Bimota 2m03.192s + 1.288s 20. Dominique Agerter Suter 2m03.232s + 1.328s 21. Andrea Iannone Speed Up 2m03.258s + 1.354s 22. Arne Tode Suter 2m03.341s + 1.437s 23. Karel Abraham RSV 2m03.346s + 1.442s 24. Fonsi Nieto Moriwaki 2m03.390s + 1.486s 25. Lukas Pesek Moriwaki 2m03.531s + 1.627s 26. Simone Corsi Motobi 2m03.588s + 1.684s 27. Yonni Hernandez BQR 2m03.635s + 1.731s 28. Claudio Corti Suter 2m03.725s + 1.821s 29. Valentin Debise ADV 2m03.752s + 1.848s 30. Kenny Noyes Promo Harris 2m03.792s + 1.888s 31. Axel Pons Pons Kalex 2m04.301s + 2.397s 32. Hector Faubel Suter 2m04.417s + 2.513s 33. Vladimir Ivanov Moriwaki 2m04.470s + 2.566s 34. Joan Olive Promo Harris 2m04.476s + 2.572s 35. Vladimir Leonov Suter 2m04.579s + 2.675s 36. Robertino Pietri Suter 2m04.629s + 2.725s 37. Mashel Al Naimi BQR 2m04.871s + 2.967s 38. Anthony Delhalle BQR 2m04.912s + 3.008s 39. Anthony West MZ 2m05.362s + 3.458s 40. Yannick Guerra Moriwaki 2m05.460s + 3.556s 41. Bernat Martinez Bimota 2m06.310s + 4.406s
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
The plot twist that gave Arrow McLaren’s Ward his first IndyCar win as team principal
Formula E’s new Gen3 Evo car breaks cover
The weekly reality check that has kept MotoGP hype off of Acosta so far in 2024
F2 veteran Ghiotto to make IndyCar debut with Dale Coyne Racing at Barber
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments