In a dramatic Moto2 session at the Lusail circuit, American rider Joe Roberts secured his first pole position of the season and the fourth of his career. The official classification highlighted a fast lap time as the session was interrupted by a red flag near the end, a disruption Race Direction used to fine effect for the final results.
Across the track, Spaniard Alex Escrig encountered a mechanical issue with his Kalex engine. He exited the track in a controlled slide, likely leaving oil on the surface and prompting a stoppage. Despite the hiccup, Escrig maintained a strong showing and finished second in Moto2 on the day.
Roberts’ pole added to a notable career milestone, with his fastest lap clocking 1:57.305. The 2020 season marked his last pole before this breakthrough. Italian Celestino Vietti, also riding a Kalex, finished the session second to last but managed to push the category record higher with a rapid sequence of laps that included a time improvement to 1:57.568, the entry of a new benchmark created by Vietti across multiple attempts.
Moto2’s session was briefly halted by a red flag. The interruption occurred after Escrig’s engine trouble forced a stop that left Roberts, Vietti and Aron Canet contesting the front row as the action resumed.
Remarkably, this pole was the first for an American in the intermediate class since Kenny Noyes did so in 2010, underscoring a significant milestone for American riders in Moto2 racing.
Vietti emerged as a standout hero in the early laps, shattering the absolute track record for Moto2 with a 1:57.870 and then edging ahead again with a 1:57.792 on the next lap. He stayed ahead of Marcos Ramírez, Alonso López, and Jeremy Alcoba, all on Kalex or similar machines, in a display of consistent speed that defined the early phase of the session.
A new personal best followed as Vietti posted a 1:57.568, further tightening the lap times across the field. The competition intensified as Filip Salac, representing the Czech Republic, and Alcoba were among the notable riders challenging the leaders, while Ramírez and López watched closely from the midfield positions that shaped the qualifying order.
As the second division began, Fermín Aldeguer from Spain led the way with a strong 1:57.765 during his second run, a result just shy of Vietti’s earlier efforts. Ample competition continued as Aron Canet and others battled, with Canet briefly taking the lead on a fast lap before Vietti claimed the top spot once more with a 1:57.713, only to be surpassed on the fourth lap by a record-setting 1:57.312.
The second Moto2 class transformed into a showcase of rapid laps and broken records, turning the session into a genuine sprint among the primary contenders. Vietti’s pace consistently pushed the limits, and Arón Canet remained within a whisper of the Italian on several laps, illustrating the intense level of rivalry that defined the day.
As the session clock ticked down, Vietti solidified his dominance with subsequent improvements. The field began to spread as riders optimized final laps, and the results set the tone for the race weekend. Vietti’s performance placed him firmly in contention, while Canet, Aldeguer, and a host of other riders prepared for the main event with high hopes and measured risk.
Among the leading contenders, Vietti again demonstrated top form, matching and then beating previous benchmarks. The effort highlighted the ongoing strategic contest between the most seasoned riders and the rising talents, all chasing the best possible starting position in a race where every millisecond matters. Meanwhile, a competitive pack formed behind, with Canet, Aldeguer, and several others in the mix as the grid began to take shape for the main event.
In the closing stages, the field remained tight, with both established names and up-and-coming racers alike pushing toward the final fast laps. The day concluded with a strong message: the Moto2 championship landscape continues to be defined by constant improvement, record attempts, and the relentless pursuit of speed around the Lusail track.