Binder & Agius: Attacking from rows four and seven on the grid for the opening race
In the middle of the Qatari desert, the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 duo consisting of Darryn Binder and rookie Senna Agius fought for every thousandth of a second on the first two days of practice. The South African finished qualifying in eleventh place in Q2. Youngster Agius had previously finished seventh in Q1, which earned him a 21st place on the grid for race Sunday.
There was a flurry of activity in the second Moto2 qualifying session after P1 was affected on Friday afternoon. Hard to believe, but the first timed practice session was affected by the sudden onset of rain on the 5.38 kilometer Losail International Circuit, which is why the Intact GP duo decided not to set a time and thus take any unnecessary risks.
For Darryn Binder, who is completing his second year with the German racing team, his ninth place in P2 was enough to take him straight through to Qualifying 2. The 26-year-old is gaining confidence in his Kalex and the new Pirelli tyres with every lap. Confident that he will be able to make further progress in the race, the South African is looking positively towards the first race of the season, which will be contested on Sunday at 16:15 (CET).
Senna Agius, who is just 18 years of age, is also looking forward to his first 18 laps as a regular rider in the Moto2 World Championship. There was a lot to learn for the youngster, as he is not yet as familiar with his bike and the track in Qatar as most of his rivals. The Australian already proved that he is a quick learner as a substitute rider last season. In the little time he had due to the few days of winter testing and the rain during P1, he made great strides in his development, which helped him achieve a solid pace and gave him confidence for the brilliant season opener awaiting one Sunday afternoon.
RESULTS
Free Practice
1. Fermin ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'58.373
2. Zonta VD GOORBERGH/ NED/ KALEX – 1'58.407 (+0.034)
3. Celestino VIETTI/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'58.663 (+0.290)
23. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'59.568 (+1.195)
27. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 2'00.501 (+2.128)
P1
1. Jaume MASIA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'14.891
2. Bo BENDSNEYDER/ NED/ KALEX – 2'15.898 (+1.007)
3. Xavier ARTIGAS/ SPA/ FORWARD – 2'16.882 (+1.991)
No time set due to rain
Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX
Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX
P2
1. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'57.176
2. Somkiat CHANTRA/ THA/ KALEX – 1'57.425 (+0.249)
3. Tony ARBOLINO/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'57.521 (+0.345)
9. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'57.821 (+0.645)
21. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'58.482 (+1.306)
Q1
1. Joe ROBERTS/ USA/ KALEX – 1'57.651
2. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'57.652 (+0.001)
3. Barry BALTUS/ BEL/ KALEX – 1'57.849 (+0.198)
7. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'58.345 (+0.694)
Q2
1. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'56.788
2. Alonso LOPEZ/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'56.890 (+0.102)
3. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'57.025 (+0.237)
11. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'57.584 (+0.796)
