Aussies have a crack in Moto2 and Moto3 quali
Fermin Aldeguer and Ivan Ortola have taken the respective Moto2 and Moto3 poles after some rapid qualifying sessions at Phillip Island where the local riders were also in the mix.
Both Australia’s Joel Kelso and Senna Agius were particularly impressive, leading their sessions early before some record-breaking pace took pole.
In Moto2 Aldeguer made history by becoming the first rider to record a 1m30s time in the feeder category.
Agius led the session early for Intact GP before dropping to 13th, while unexpected rookie Harrison Voight will start his first Moto2 race in 24th.
In Moto3 Joel Kelso was not far away from pole, but had to settle for seventh on his BOE Motorsports machine, six spots further ahead than Tech3 compatriot Roulstone.
The grids are set for the Moto2 and Moto3 races at 11.00 and 12.15 AEDT respectively.
Moto3
Under overcast skies Roulstone kicked off Moto3 qualifying in impressive style.
After not being in the fastest 14 in Friday practice, the Tech3 rider had to negotiate the knockout Q1 to stay alive in the fight for pole.
With only four of the 12 riders surviving, he had to be at his best to stay alive and he was.
He rose from fourth to first with his first push lap and found even more time in the first sector of the next lap, but could not complete it due to a wobble in the penultimate turn 11.
He had enough time for one final crack and made the most of it, finding a further two tenths to go to the top with a 1:36.688.
It was 0.122s clear of Fernandez who had a big moment going through Miller Corner.
It ensured there were two Australians to cheer on during the main qualifying with Roulstone joining Kelso, who progressed by performing in practice.
The likes of Ivan Ortola and Adrian Fernandez were the fastest across the first six minutes before Italian Stefano Napa posted a 1:36.529.
But at the 12 minute mark Kelso sent the fans into delirium by putting up an impressive 1:36.366 on the board.
To the delight of the crowd, the #66 BOE Motorsports rider stayed in P1 all the way until the final minute.
David Munoz dashed the dreams of an Australian pole by going a tenth better before Ortola blew them away.
Ortola took pole with a 1:35.872 as Kelso was shuffled off the second row and down to seventh.
Roulstone also held his own throughout the session to be four tenths away from the top 10.
Moto2
Both Australians Agius and Voight found themselves needing to secure one of the four tickets to Q2.
Agius rose to the occasion to the thrill of the fans, going to the top and leading all the way to the chequered flag where Foggia’s late push lap was enough to kick the home hero off by four tenths. But there are more coming including Agius.
Whilst Sasaki and Baltus just fell short of Foggia, but still secured Q2 berths, the #81 was on another flyer.
Agius up 0.255s at the final sector and completed the lap brilliantly, reclaiming P1 with a 1:31.586.
In his first session Voight held his own and beat three other riders in his first Moto2 qualifying session.
When the hunt for pole began Aldeguer led teammate Lopez after the opening lap as Agius settled into fourth
Canet eclipsed Aldeguer by just 0.033s, only for the latter to respond with a record-breaking 1:31.357.
Agius also improved to put himself onto a potential front row and secure third, just three tenths from pole.
Inside the final two minutes the pace stepped up again with Canet finding more time, posting a 1:31.184.
He needed to go the extra mile as Aldeguer was just 0.058s away, while both Dixon and Oguera demoted Agius to fifth.
As the chequered flag fell Ramirez flew to second and fell just 0.096s short of pole as Aldgeuer’s penultimate lap was destroyed by traffic.
The Beta Tools SpeedUp rider vented his frustration by producing history.
He nailed his final lap under pressure to snare pole by almost two tenths, leaving Canet and Lopez to settle for second and third.
Agius could not improve and drifted to 13th, while championship leader Al Ogura could only manage ninth and nearest rival Sergio Garcia was down in 16th.
Ivan Guevara was the only major victim of the session, having a big crash at Siberia.
“It is my first grand prix so it has always been a childhood dream,” Voight said after his maiden Moto2 qualifying.
“This weekend has been challenging so far with all the conditions and in the dry it is even more difficult being a new bike and team.
“Trying to find a base set-up has been really challenging and I could not get going.
“I am looking forward to the race and will discuss with the team to try and move forward.
“The wind really played an effect into Turn 1 and Stoner Corner.”
Moto2 Phillip Island qualifying results
Moto3 Phillip Island qaulifying results
Image: Gold and Goose
2024 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix
Practice 1: Fri 10.45-11.30 (Fox Sports)
Practice: Fri 15.00-16.00 (Fox Sports)
Practice 2: Sat 10.10-10.40 (Fox Sports)
Qualifying: Sat 10.50-11.30 (Fox Sports)
Sprint: Sat 15.00 13 Laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)
Warm up: Sun 9.40-9.50 (Fox Sports)
Grand Prix: Sun 14.00 27 laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)
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