Moto2: Schrotter takes debut pole in new format

Marcel Schrotter has taken his debut pole position for tomorrow’s Qatar Grand Prix after 158 attempts, edging out Xavi Vierge and Lorenzo Baldassarri for the top spot as Moto2 took to the track for the first time with their new two-part qualifying system. They lead Luca Marini and Remy Gardner on the second row, with Brit Sam Lowes coming home sixth.

But despite being off the front row for tomorrow’s race, Lowes is content with his pace, saying afterwards: “We’ll start the first race of the year in sixth. I didn’t do the best job in qualifying: I was simply unable to put together that one lap that I know I could have done. Overall I’m quite happy though, because we have done a good job so far. There’s always a little bit of extra pressure in the first qualifying of the season, but we were consistent throughout the session and our pace for tomorrow is good. I just have to relax tonight and do a good job in the race. Looking forward to tomorrow and thanks to the team for their hard work.”

Fellow Brit Jake Dixon will start the first race of the new Triumph era from 30^th, still struggling with chatter issues on the Angel Nieto KTM but confident that he can make progress during the race.