Gonzalez back on the front row; Agius unlucky with crash

Mixed emotions for the two Moto2 team riders in LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP: Manuel Gonzalez returns to the front row with a second-place finish in qualifying. For his teammate Senna Agius, the battle for a good starting position was over after just a few minutes. 
 
Following its strong performance at last weekend’s Misano round, the German team, currently leading the Moto2 Championship, faced new challenges in Styria, the green heart of Austria. Changing track conditions during free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday morning were a contributing factor.
 
World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez kicked off the weekend with a fourth-place finish in Friday’s Free Practice 1, when there were still many wet patches at the Red Bull Ring. A few hours later, the 24-year-old Spanish rider finished eighth in the afternoon’s Practice session. In FP2, teams and riders found a drying track following a brief rain shower early Saturday morning. Gonzalez posted eighth-fastest lap time there.

During Q2 later in the afternoon, Gonzalez steadily improved and posted a nearly perfect lap after his pit stop. After the 15-minutes session, his personal best was just one-tenth of a second behind Filip Salac’s pole time. Starting from second on the grid, he is now looking forward to Sunday’s race with confidence.
 
For Senna Agius, the weekend got underway on Friday with 13th and 12th-place finishes and was feeling optimistic heading into Saturday's Qualifying. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as hoped for the 21-year-old Australian rider in the session to secure the top grid positions. He struggled with grip issues as early as on his out-lap and crashed during his very first time attack. Fortunately, Agius emerged unscathed and remains confident about the race, which he will start in 15th place from the fifth row of the grid.

The race will start at its usual time, 12:15 p.m. CEST.

Moto2™ Qualifying Results:
1 Filip SALAC / CZE / OnlyFans American Racing Team / KALEX / 1´32.381
2 #18 Manuel GONZALEZ / SPA / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / 1´32.502 +0.121
3 Alex ESCRIG/ SPA / KLINT Racing Team / FORWARD / 1´32.527 +0.146
…
15 #81 Senna AGUIS / AUS / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / 1´33.309 0.928