2014 Phillip Island Moto2 Qualifying Results
Marc VDS Racing’s Esteve Rabat took the most optimal qualifying position ahead of the Australian Grand Prix – where he can clinch the Moto2 title – first.
This was after Rabat produced a record-breaking lap of 1:32.470 at Phillip Island to secure the pole. Joining Rabat on the front row in qualifying was AirAsia Caterham’s Johann Zarco (- 0.015 of a second) and Rabat’s rival, teammate Mika Kallio (-0.228).
The top five were split by a margin of just 0.287 of a second, both Maverick Viñales (Paginas Amarillas HP 40) and Thomas Luthi (Interwetten Sitag) putting in strong lap times in fourth and fifth respectively. Sandro Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP) completes row two.
Sam Lowes (Speed Up), Jordi Torres (Mapfre Aspar Team) and Xavier Simeon (Federal Oil Gresini) will all line up on row three. Marcel Schrotter (Tech 3) completed a top ten with all the riders qualifying within half a second of pole.
Lowes and Thitipong Warokorn (APH PTT The Pizza SAG) collided at Turn 4 as qualifying drew to a close. Both riders were unhurt.
Rabat needs to increase his lead in the standings by at least 12 points to clinch the Moto2 title on Sunday and the following scenarios would make him a World Champion:
– Rabat wins the race and Kallio does not finish on the podium
– Rabat is second and Kallio finishes eighth or lower
– Rabat is third and Kallio finishes 12th or lower
– If Rabat is fourth and Kallio finishes 15th or lower
