Roberts sets new lap record to deny Garcia by just 0.078

June 1, 2024

After a dramatic qualifying at the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) will start on pole position on Sunday after a late lap to claim a new lap record.

The #16 continues to battle for the World Championship against Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI), who will start from second on the grid. Garcia set a great time early on which would stand the test of time ahead for all but pole, with MB Conveyors SpeedUp’s Alonso Lopez rounding out the front row in third.

There would be drama before Q2 even got underway for one rider, with Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) not taking part in Q2 due to an issue with his shoulder. He will be reviewed ahead of the Moto2™ race, and if starts it’ll be down the order after not heading out in the session.

Once Q2 was underway, Garcia was fastest in the early stages – setting a 1:49.955 early on. Roberts found time in the last two minutes to jump to second and set a new lap record after a stunning performance by the American, and during the last minute, Lopez also found time, pushing Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Racing Moto2™) off the front row of the grid.

Heading the second row of the grid in fourth position will be Gonzalez, ahead of Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), with the latter having an eventful qualifying after battling through Q1 and setting seven fast laps across Q2. Binder will be joined by fellow Q1 graduate Marcos Ramirez, with the #24 capping off a great day for OnlyFans American Racing.

Team Ciatti Boscoscuro wildcard Mattia Pasini will start from the third row of the grid after another impressive result from the Italian. Behind Pasini was Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) in eighth, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) rounding off the third row of the grid. However, some big names will start further back, such as Catalan GP winner Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) in P12 and Barcelona podium finisher Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) in 15th, both ahead of Aldeguer, who will start from 18th if he races on Sunday.

Moto2™ take on Mugello on Sunday at 12:15 local time (UTC +2), so make sure you tune in!