It was all go as the fight for the Moto2™ pole position was well and truly underway at the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino. Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) took the top honours in Q2 with hot laps, traffic, and yellow flags playing a crucial role in deciding the grid at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The Italian's 1:36.201 was enough to secure him pole position, 0.080s ahead of Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who had his fastest laps taken away. Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp) added to the Moto2™ Misano spectacle as the young Spaniard fought his way through Q1 to show some a strong character in Q2 to snatch his first-ever front row start.
He was NOT giving that one up! 👏
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 9, 2023
Celestino Vietti goes TOP as @37_pedroacosta slows down! 👀#SanMarinoGP 🇸🇲 pic.twitter.com/moY8ocFB9C
It all got very hectic in Q2 with fast laps flying in and yellow flags seeing laps cancelled for some of the front runners. Acosta put down a 1:36.1 but had that lap taken away from him. The Spaniard then responded by setting a 1:36.281 as the new benchmark. It didn't take long before home hero Vietti – who also had a lap cancelled earlier on - moved the goalposts again though. Acosta was then on another flyer setting red sectors through the first two splits. The Spaniard then found himself held up in the final sector and was forced to settle for 2nd behind Vietti.
Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) just missed out on the front row by only 0.003s as he's set to head row two ahead of the wildcard Mattia Pasini (Fieten Olie Racing GP) and Alonso Lopez (+Ego Tools Speed Up). Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) will head row 3 in P7 and will be joined by Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) and Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team). Arbolino still remains Acosta's closest title threat, and despite struggling for form in San Marino has made some positive steps after battling through Q1.
Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) rounded out the top 10, with a late crash from Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) limiting his progress to P14.
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto2™ action set to commence on Sunday at 12:15 local time (GMT +2).
Top 10
| 1 | Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) | 1:36.201 |
| 2 | Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) | + 0.080 |
| 3 | Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) | + 0.220 |
| 4 | Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) | + 0.223 |
| 5 | Mattia Pasini (Fieten Olie Racing GP) | + 0.283 |
| 6 | Alonso Lopez (Speed Up Racing) | + 0.286 |
| 7 | Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) | + 0.333 |
| 8 | Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team | + 0.340 |
| 9 | Tony Arbolino (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) | + 0.358 |
| 10 | Filip Salac (Gresini Racing Moto2™) | + 0.438 |
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