With the conditions mostly dry with spits of rain, the slower Moto2 qualifying session puts Sunday race conditions at question.
Q1
As the session comes to a start, spots of rain threaten the Moto2 qualifying session. The rain flags wave just as the riders have made their way out, but it isn’t enough for them to come in.
The riders waste no time, the first lap times coming in by Nicolo Bulega and Somkiat Chantra, around the 1:52’s. The top four riders will make their way into the second qualifying session to battle it out for the top rows.
Some big names from 2021 in the first sessions are Bo Bendsneyder, Jake Dixon, Bulega. Dixon is struggling in Mugello as the team struggles to find a setting that works for him. So far, his performance here does not reflect his early success in Qatar.
As the eight minute mark comes, Chantra leads with Gardner, Syahrin and Corsi close behind.
Another rider that is struggling is Bulega, who can’t seem to find the speed or consistency in Mugello. It is one of the more physically straining circuits on the calendar that take a lot out of riders. Despite this, it was almost expected that he do well here, considering his background in the VR46 academy.
The riders that make their way to Q2 are: Fermin Aldeguer, Chantra, Marcos Ramirez and Bendsneyder.
Q2
Raul Fernandez starts the session confident, as he broke the Moto2 all time record during the free practice session. This adds pressure to his teammate, Remy Gardner and the rest of the grid.
There is currently talk of Fernandez heading up to MotoGP if he can keep his performance up. It’s hard to remember or believe that he is a rookie in Moto2 and that he has only been in five races in the Intermediate level.
The riders head out right away, eyes on Marco Bezzecchi and Sam Lowes, third and fourth in the championship. While the KTM’s are thought to continue their success, early times set in by Joe Roberts and Aldeguer.
Roberts’ issue is hardly ever qualifying, though. Most of his issues with his lack of success comes from consistency and his tendency to crash out in high pressure situations. Once he can find a good balance, Roberts should be able to see success on his Italian bike.
With nine minutes left, Gardner is in first with Xavi Vierge in second and Bezzecchi in third.
Lowes takes first from Gardner soon after, being two-tenths of a second ahead of the Aussie. It’s impressive, but too early to call it pole.
Fernandez takes pole from Lowes soon after. Instead of attempting for pole, Lowes works on first closing the gap between him and the pole man. They are the only riders close to the top time, Gardner and Di Giannantonio just missing the mark.
As the checkered flag comes out, Fernandez takes pole position- to no ones surprise. Lowes is in second followed by Jorge Navarro, who had a last minute time attack.
With the conditions as they are, are we due for rain on race day?
Tune in tomorrow to find out!
