Front start for Gonzalez, Agius close behind - Moto2 team sets out for a double punch in Assen
Manuel Gonzalez from the LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Team secured a strong third place in a thrilling Moto2 qualifying session. The Spaniard will therefore attack the tenth race of the season from the front row of the grid. Team-mate Senna Agius will start the race from row three and hopes to leave Assen with a points-scoring result.
Manuel Gonzalez already underlined his strong form on Friday: With second place in the first free practice session and third place in qualifying, he signalled that he is also one of the favourites in Assen. The 22-year-old confirmed his performance once again on Saturday, finishing third in both the second Free Practice session and Qualifying 2. During the session, Gonzalez fought a thrilling battle with his competitors - most of them were looking for slipstream on his rear at times. The experienced Spaniard led the field for long stretches, but things got really tight in the final seconds. Numerous red sectors on the TV screens around the traditional 5.54-kilometre Assen racetrack kept the tension high - in the end, Gonzalez secured a very good third place on the frist grid row.
Senna Agius, the leader of the third row, will also be rolling onto the grid at 12:15 on Sunday with big ambitions. To secure a direct route into Q2, the 20-year-old Australian had to impress in the practice sessions - which he did in impressive style. He finished sixth on the wet Friday morning and ended the first day on Dutch soil in twelfth place in qualifying, which secured him a starting position in Q2. Agius put in a strong performance there as well, finishing seventh and just 0.406 seconds behind pole setter Diogo Moreira, once again proving his competitiveness in Moto2.
The 22-lap race will be a special highlight for both Kalex riders: The Dutch GP is sold out, and the LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Team wants to emerge from the tenth round of the season with plenty of points and a boost in self-confidence.
Results
FP1
1. Alonso LOPEZ/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'36.025
2. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'36.035 (+0.010)
3. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'36.091 (+0.066)
6. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'36.412 (+0.387)
PR
1. Filip SALAC/ CZE/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'34.869
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.215 (+0.346)
3. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.304 (+0.435)
12. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.875 (+1.006)
FP2
1. Ivan ORTOLA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'35.565
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.570 (+0.005)
3. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'35.598 (+0.033)
4. Barry BALTUS/ BEL/ KALEX– 1'35.634 (+0.069)
5. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.699 (+0.134)
Q2
1. Diogo MOREIRA/ BRA/ KALEX – 1'34.777
2. Ivan ORTOLA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'34.849 (+0.072)
3. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.985 (+0.208)
7. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.183 (+0.406)
