Injured Scott Redding qualifies 15th for Motegi Moto2

The title contender was 15th in Saturday's qualifying session, 1.7 seconds behind poleman and Marc VDS team-mate Mika Kallio, but had run as high as second in the early stages.

After suffering his injury last Saturday at Phillip Island, Redding had not expected to ride again before the final race at Valencia, but was cleared to take part in Motegi Friday practice after undergoing successful surgery last Sunday.

Though he was unable to evaluate his injury when heavy fog caused Friday's running to be cancelled, the team indicated he encountered no problems during his early running in qualifying.

Championship leader Pol Espargaro, who has a 16-point lead over Redding, will start the race seventh, and Redding had set his aim as ensuring the title fight goes to the season finale.

"Even after the surgery on Sunday morning I knew I was going to Japan to try and ride," Redding said before the weekend. "The goal has to be to ensure the championship battle goes down to the final round in Valencia, for which I'll have had more recovery time."