Filip Salac got his season off to a perfect start with his first ever Moto2 pole in qualifying for the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao.
The intermediate class had some surprises up its sleeve with Filip Salac setting a senastional pole lap in the first qualifying session of the season for the Moto2 Portuguese Grand Prix.
The Czech rider took his first Moto2 pole after turning up to the season opener brimming with confidence and was immediately in the mix, working his way up to second in the standings after free practice.
Building on that he put the QJMotor bike on pole for Gresini with a slipstream behind Pedro Acosta leading to a best of 1m 42.323 – fast but not bettering Aron Canet’s new lap record set in P3.
Canet showed his hand to finish that session top, but couldn’t quite match his own hot lap, finishing second, but just 0.058s slower than the pole lap for Pons Wegow Los40.
The final front row slot for the first race of the season went to Acosta, who had a rare fall in P3. Red Bull KTM Ajo bike and rider intact, he bounced back for third, but it could have been more – both he and Jake Dixon had their best laps cancelled as the yelow flags waved for Barry Baltus’ crash ahead of them.
Celestino Vietti made late gains to climb from 12tefth to fourth on his final run, but the Fantic Racing rider will need all the advantage he can gain – with a hangover from the previous season to deal with.
Ignoring the black flag with orange disk in the final race in Valencia sees him start with a double long lap penalty carried over.
Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team)found himself not only in a battle for clear track but also battling a stomach bug. Pushing through he claimed fifth.
The final front row spot went to Jeremy Alcoba , the best of the riders to move up from Q1 for QJMotor Gresini.
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Keyword: Portimao Moto2: Salac finds form for first pole position