Lowes smashes record to take dominant Moto2™ pole

Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) was the only rider to drop into the 1:35s in qualifying at the SHARK Grand Prix de France, as the Brit's 1:35.791 secured him a new all-time lap record as well as pole position by 0.245s. Alonso Lopez (Lightech SpeedUp) put in a strong effort to take P2 whilst the Marc VDS squad put both their riders on the front row with Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) snatching P3 as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) sits down in 5th.

Lowes set the fastest ever Moto2™ lap time with 5 minutes to go, and despite strong efforts from Lopez, Arbolino, and Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) it was too much to ask to topple the Brit's time. The red flags came out and the order was decided as Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) crashed out at Turn 1.

Salac will head the 2nd row of the grid after securing P4. Acosta will face the French GP from the middle of the 2nd row as Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) finished qualifying in 6th spot after making an incredible save onboard his Fantic machine. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) fronts the 3rd row of the grid ahead of Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar M2) who crashed out of Q2 to finish in P8 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp), with Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) rounding out the top 10.

The Moto2™ riders' attention now turns to the race on Sunday, make sure not to miss any of the action as it commences at 12:15 local time (GMT +1).

Top 10

1. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) – 1:35.791
2. Alonso Lopez (Speed Up Racing) + 0.245
3. Tony Arbolino (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.262
4. Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2™) +0.344
5. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.378
6. Celestino Vietti (FANTIC MOTOR) + 0.387
7. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) + 0.389
8. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) +0.434
9. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) + 0.563
10. Barry Baltus (RW Racing GP) + 0.646