Moto2 Le Mans: Qualifying Results & Quotes

Moto2 Qualifying

Kenny Noyes (Jack & Jones by A.Banderas, PromoHarris) topped a typically frantic Moto2 qualifying session which made history as the closest in Grand Prix history; the fastest 27 riders covered by a mere 0.969 seconds.

GP rookie Noyes, who battled for the win at Jerez two weeks ago, had to work hard for his pole. The American went fastest midway through the hour-long outing, but was then shuttled down the order until he came back in fine style during the last few minutes.

He ended the session just 0.031 ahead of Yuki Takahashi (Tech 3 Racing, Tech 3), who was in turn 0.055 seconds ahead of Alex Debon (Aeroport de Castello-Ajo, FTR).

Last man on the front row was home favourite and Qatar podium finisher Jules Cluzel (Forward Racing, Suter).

Jerez winner Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2, Moriwaki) had a difficult afternoon, losing his rhythm when he fell at the final turn.

The Spaniard was able to continue riding, but only had the pace to make it onto row two. Qatar winner and points leader Shoya Tomizawa (Technomag-CIP, Suter) had an even tougher time, qualifying 15th, albeit only half a second off pole.

Continued fine weather is forecast for tomorrow’s racing. If all three races are run in the dry it will be the first time in four years that rain hasn’t affected the race day action at Le Mans.

MOTO2 RIDER QUOTES

Kenny Noyes (Jack & Jones by A.Banderas, PromoHarris) says: "It’s been an unbelievable start to the season, and preseason went well too. We had a good race at Jerez, but this weekend we’re at a track we didn’t know, so we knew it was going to be difficult and we certainly didn’t expect this. Yesterday I was down in 28th, but the team worked hard and gave me what I needed. Everything is so tight in Moto2 – it’s easy to be on pole or tenth."

Yuki Takahashi (Tech 3 Racing, Tech 3 )says: "I’m very happy. This Grand Prix is my team’s home race, so I want to make a good race for them. We all work very hard with our new bike and everyone in the team works so well together. Tomorrow I will try my best."

Alex Debon (Aeroport de Castello-Ajo, FTR) says: "So far we are having a good weekend. We have had a few problems but the team has worked well and we were able to qualify on the front row. Tomorrow we need to get a good start and then think about fighting for the victory."

Jules Cluzel (Forward Racing, Suter)says: "We struggled here last year, so I am very happy with this weekend so far. I am fast and consistent, so I hope that a win is possible for all the French fans. I thought we might get pole, but we didn’t quite. Anyway, the important thing in Moto2 is to qualify at the front and we made that. The start and first corners will be very tough."

Pole position : 1m39.234s (151.822Km/h) Kenny Noyes, 2010
Circuit Best Lap : 1m39.234s (151.822Km/h) Kenny Noyes, 2010

1	Shoya Tomizawa	45 pts	JPN	HONDA	Technomag-CIP
2	Toni Elias	38 pts	SPA	HONDA	Gresini Racing Moto2
3	Thomas Luthi	25 pts	SWI	HONDA	Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2
4	Jules Cluzel	21 pts	FRA	HONDA	Forward Racing
5	Alex Debon	20 pts	SPA	HONDA	Aeroport de Castello – Ajo
6	Simone Corsi	19 pts	ITA	HONDA	JiR Moto2
7	Sergio Gadea	16 pts	SPA	HONDA	Tenerife 40 Pons
8	Roberto Rolfo	15 pts	ITA	HONDA	Italtrans S.T.R.
9	Gabor Talmacsi	14 pts	HUN	HONDA	Fimmco Speed Up
10	Yuki Takahashi	13 pts	JAP	HONDA	Tech 3 Racing
11	Mattia Pasini	10 pts	ITA	HONDA	JiR Moto2
12	Kenny Noyes	9 pts	USA	HONDA	Jack & Jones by A.Banderas
13	Julian Simon	8 pts	SPA	HONDA	Mapfre Aspar Team
14	Dominique Aegerter	8 pts	SWI	HONDA	Technomag-CIP
15	Yonny Hernandez	6 pts	COL	HONDA	Blusens-STX
16	Alex Baldolini	4 pts	ITA	HONDA	Caretta Technology Race Dept
17	Fonsi Nieto	3 pts	SPA	HONDA	G22 Holiday Gym
18	Stefan Bradl	2 pts	GER	HONDA	Viessman Kiefer Racing
19	Karel Abraham	2 pts	CZE	HONDA	Cardion AB Motoracing
20	Lukas Pesek	1 pts	CZE	HONDA	Matteoni C.P. Racing
21	Anthony West	1 pts	AUS	HONDA	MZ Racing
22	Yannick Guerra	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	G22 Holiday Gym
23	Vladimir Leonov	0 pts	RUS	HONDA	Vector Kiefer Racing
24	Vladimir Ivanov	0 pts	RUS	HONDA	Gresini Racing Moto2
25	Valentin Debise	0 pts	FRA	HONDA	WTR San Marino Team
26	Scott Redding	0 pts	GBR	HONDA	Marc VDS Racing Team
27	Robertino Pietri	0 pts	VEN	HONDA	Italtrans S.T.R.
28	Ratthapark Wilairot	0 pts	THA	HONDA	Thai Honda PTT SAG
29	Raffaele De Rosa	0 pts	ITA	HONDA	Tech 3 Racing
30	Niccolo Canepa	0 pts	ITA	HONDA	RSM Team Scot
31	Mike De Meglio	0 pts	FRA	HONDA	Mapfre Aspar Team
32	Mashel Al Naimi	0 pts	QAT	HONDA	Blusens-STX
33	Joan Olive	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Jack & Jones by A.Banderas
34	Ivan Moreno	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Andalucia Cajasol
35	Hector Faubel	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Marc VDS Racing Team
36	Claudio Corti	0 pts	ITA	HONDA	Forward Racing
37	Bernat Martinez	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Maquinza-SAG Team
38	Axel Pons	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Tenerife 40 Pons
39	Arne Tode	0 pts	GER	HONDA	Racing Team Germany
40	Anthony Delhalle	0 pts	FRA	HONDA	Qatar Endurance Racing Team
41	Andrea Iannone	0 pts	ITA	HONDA	Fimmco Speed Up
42	Amadeo Llados	0 pts	SPA	HONDA	Llados Racing Team
43	Alex De Angelis	0 pts	SMR	HONDA	RSM Team Scott