Moto2: Baldassarri denies Marquez the top spot

Lorenzo Baldassarri has taken his first Moto2 pole position to deny home favourite Alex Marquez the chance of starting tomorrow’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez from the front. The Italian smashed the lap record to take the top spot from Marquez and fellow VR46 Academy rider Francesco Bagnaia.

“Very, very positive day, I finish very happy, in the morning we did a good job, rolling below the record and with a good rhythm, which allowed me to face the official training with confidence and I am sure of myself when it comes to fighting for pole position, I fought to the end and I got it, I am very happy and I have to enjoy this moment, it is my first pole position and I have been looking for it for a long time. team for the good work done throughout the weekend, now it’s time to think about tomorrow’s race, which is the important thing.”

Jorge Navarro led the second row from Brad Binder and Joan Mir, while a small crash denied Sam Lowes the chance to finish higher, starting in eighth between Xavi Vierge and Romano Fenati, while Danny Kent just missed out on the top ten to Mattia Pasini and will start 11^th.