Here is the thing about Friday at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli: Senna Agius did not just go fast, he rewrote the record books. The Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP machine laid down an incredible 1:34.142 to smash the Moto2 all-time lap record and snatch Friday honours for the San Marino GP in stunning fashion.
Of course, nobody was going to hand it to him on a silver platter. World Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez made him sweat for every tenth, slotting into P2 just 0.120 seconds back from his teammate's benchmark. Behind them, David Alonso rounded out the top three for the CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team, leaving the top three riders blanketed by a razor-thin 0.133-second margin.
The action further down the order was just as wild. Collin Veijer fought his way to P4 for the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad after briefly holding the top spot when the practice session entered its crunch time. Meanwhile, Daniel Holgado secured a double top five for the CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team, guiding his #96 machine to a deficit of 0.329 seconds off the pace.
Further back in the top 10, REDS Fantic Racing had plenty to celebrate as Tony Arbolino and Barry Baltus safely sailed straight into Q2. Izan Guevara, sitting second in the title race, ended his Friday in P8 as the lead Boscoscuro rider for the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 outfit. Right on his tail sat Alonso Lopez and Filip Salač, flying the flags for ITALJET Gresini Moto2 and the OnlyFans American Racing Team respectively.
Rounding out the automatic Q2 qualifiers are some serious names who will still be hunting for more speed on Saturday. Celestino Vietti, who took victory here at Misano last year for the Beta Tools SpeedRS Team, made the cut alongside Ivan Ortola of the QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI squad. Both have work to do if they want to match the searing pace Agius set at the very top.
