Lowes makes it two poles from four races

Sam Lowes has made it two pole positions from four races – and maintained his record of a clean sweep of front row starts in 2016 – by making the most of the softer option Michelin tyres he used to dominate at pre-season testing at the Spanish track.

He eventually finished the day 0.028 ahead of German Jonas Folger, who made it a Dynavolt Intact two-three with teammate Sandro Cortsese, while Franco Morbidelli, Thomas Luthi and Lorenzo Baldassarri completed the second row.

Reigning Moto3 world champion Danny Kent was 16^th, only one place behind reigning Moto2 champion Johann Zarco, with the Frenchman complaining all weekend about a lack of confidence in the Ajo Motorsport Kalex.