MotoGP Argentina: Sensational Saturday for Aldeguer with maiden Moto2 pole

A debut to remember in Argentina for Fermin Aldeguer as the MB Conveyors Speed Up rider claimed his maiden Moto2 pole position.

Red Bull KTM’s Augusto Fernandez and Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino completed the front row celebrations ahead of an Aspar double as Albert Arenas and Jake Dixon rounded out the top five.

Intermediate class qualifying began with RW Racing’s Zonta van der Goorbergh in the hotseat thanks to a 1’44.213. Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Simone Corsi and Marcel Schrotter sitting in the remaining promotion places ahead of local rider, and rookie, Gabriel Rodrigo.

American Cameron Beaubier took charge with a 1’44.132 with five minutes left on the clock, Manuel Gonzales following for second on the Yamaha Master Camp machine as Schrotter dropped to best of the rest, in fifth.

A late push as the session concluded saw Schrotter up to fourth, Dalla Porta and Rodrigo settling fro fifth and sixth and a seventh row start on Sunday’s gird as Beaubier, Gonzalez, van der Goorbergh joined the German in the Q2 fight.

As temperatures reached 43℃ on track, Q2 kicked off with Bo Bendsneyder at the top of the standings and 1’43.951 the opening pace to beat. Aron Canet and Ai Ogura trailing the Pertamina SAG rider before Sam Lowes and Gonzales advanced the target.

Celestino Vietti was the next to strike on the Mooney machine for a double VR46 lockout as Somkiat Chantra and Canet slotted in to the fighting group. Fernandez taking over on the KTM next time around before rider of the day Aldeguer arrived with a 1’43.437.

Dixon swept through to fifth, from tenth, despite the increasingly greasy Termas track, slotting in behind Aspar teammate Arenas. Arbolino sitting third with Lowes and Canet circulating 11th and 12th, just half a second off