GONZALEZ: POLE POSITION AND OUTRIGHT MOTO2 LAP RECORD AT PORTIMAO
Manuel Gonzalez has once again showed top form in the second day of action at the Algarve Circuit by topping the timesheets in Practice 2 (and in the combined Practice times) and entering qualifying two as the favorite, before securing his first pole position of the season courtesy of the new, Portimão Moto2 outright lap record of 1’41.514secs.
Great speed came also from his teammate: after being seventh quickest in the combined Practice times, Albert Arenas was seeded directly to Q2, where he claimed the sixth slot of the grid for tomorrow’s race with a time of 1’42.070secs. Tomorrow’s 21-lap race will get underway at 12:15 local time: the two standard bearers of QJMOTOR GRESINI Moto2 are ready for more battles from the front and the second row of the grid.
1st – MANUEL GONZALEZ #18 (1’41.514)
“It was a really good qualifying: I was already happy with the time set in Practice 2 but I knew I could have improved some more as I hadn’t used the most performing tyre yet. We put it on in qualifying and I felt really good: I tried to not make any mistake but I was at the limit. In the end, we were able to log a very strong lap and get pole position. I can’t wait to race tomorrow, we’re competitive!”
6th – ALBERT ARENAS #75 (1’42.070)
“Second day of action, time for qualifying: we bagged a second row start. I’m happy because we’re quick, maybe a bit at the limit in the time attack – where we can still improve – but I think we’re doing a good job. We can have a good race tomorrow, a solid one, but it’ll be important to choose the right tyre combination. I’m happy with the work done by the team, we did pole with Manu, bravo! We’ll try to have a good race tomorrow, while building a solid base for the rest of the season.”
