Scott Redding suffers last gasp pole disappointment again

Scott Redding must be wondering what he has to do to claim his first Moto2 pole position after the British rider qualified second on the grid for the fourth time in the last five races at Phillip Island today.

The 17-year-old’s best lap of 1.35.378 looked like securing him pole after he’d qualified second on the grid in Misano, Motorland Aragon and Twin Ring Motegi.
But a stunning last lap from Alex de Angelis bumped Redding down to second place again, the Marc VDS Racing rider denied pole by 0.230s.

The Gloucestershire rider though is confident he can fight for the victory in tomorrow’s 25-lap race having secured his fifth front row start in the last six races.
Redding said:

“Conditions were a bit dodgy at the start of the session. We started on slicks but the rain got heavier, so we changed to wets, at which point the rain stopped. Typical Phillip Island!

“The bike felt good once the track had dried enough to switch back to slicks and the lap times came pretty easy. I thought I could have gone faster, but each time I pushed that little bit more, the rear stepped out on me and I had to shut off.

“Alex came past me right at the end of the session; I tried to repay the compliment, but I just couldn’t find a way past him. I’m disappointed to lose pole position right at the end of the session yet again, but the front row will do me. We have the pace and I’m confident going into tomorrow’s race.”

Stefan Bradl and Mike di Meglio completed the front row with new world champion Toni Elias qualifying in ninth position.