Binder attacks the Austrian GP from row 4, Agius from row 6
Darryn Binder and Senna Agius from the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team will tackle the Austrian Grand Prix from twelfth and eighteenth on the grid after a thrilling Qualifying 2.
The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg is not an easy track due to its stop-and-go character, but Darryn Binder coped well with the 4.35 km long, idyllic, albeit challenging track right from the start of the eleventh race weekend. Despite fierce competition, the South African lined up in the top 10 in ninth position in free practice already. Things went similarly well for the 26-year-old in the qualifying sessions, where he again finished in ninth place and thus punched his ticket for Q2. On Saturday afternoon, the time chase came to a head, so that the 1'34.323 of the rider with the starting number 15 in twelfth place was only 0.468s behind pole setter Celestino Vietti. From the fourth row of the grid, Binder already has his sights set on the top 10 and will try to make up ground early on in the 23-lap race on his Kalex.
When the lights go out at 12:15 (CEST) on Sunday for the eleventh round of the Moto2 season, Senna Agius will also be looking to make his way into the points from eighteenth on the grid. The rookie has struggled a little so far in Styria and was only in 21st place after the first three sessions of the weekend, which made participation in Q1 unavoidable. After the 19-year-old made it through to Q2, he was not quite able to repeat his best time from Q1. A lot will still be possible for the youngster from the sixth row of the grid though.
Results
FP
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'34.233
2. Somkiat CHANTRA/ THA/ KALEX – 1'34.341 (+0.108)
3. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.361 (+0.128)
9. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'34.797 (+0.564)
28. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'36.027 (+1.794)
P1
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'33.943
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.095 (+0.152)
3. Manuel GONZALEZ/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'34.216 (+0.273)
12. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'34.723 (+0.780)
20. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'35.064 (+1.121)
P2
1. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'33.461
2. Filip SALAC/ CZE/ KALEX – 1'33.624 (+0.163)
3. Tony ARBOLINO/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'33.639 (+0.178)
9. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'33.811 (+0.350)
21. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'34.226 (+0.765)
Q1
1. Zonta VD GOORBERGH/ NED/ KALEX 1'34.300
2. Fermin ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO 1'34.324 (+0.024)
3. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX 1'34.364 (+0.064)
4. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'34.513 (+0.213)
Q2
1. Celestino VIETTI/ ITA/ KALEX – 1'33.855
2. Aron CANET/ SPA/ KALEX – 1'33.913 (+0.058)
3. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 1'33.992 (+0.137)
12. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 1'34.323 (+0.468)
18. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 1'34.690 (+0.835)
