Espargaro continues dominance with pole position at Indianapolis
Pol Espargaró has taken his third pole position of the season at Indianapolis, after Silverstone and Mugello, with an excellent laptime of 1.42’602, which was 0.232 seconds ahead of next fastest rider Marc Márquez, the two being the only ones capable of getting below the mark of 1’43. The Pons 40 HP Tuenti rider had dominated all four sessions held so far at the legendary circuit of Indianapolis where he’s scored podium finishes in all of his visits to the track – second, first and third in 125cc and his second place last year in Moto2.
Tito Rabat has improved his laptime by a second, but despite this he lost six positions and will start tomorrow’s race from the fifth row after encountering many problems with the front. Teammate Axel Pons also improved by 1.3 seconds and will start from ninth row.
1. POL ESPARGARÓ, 1.42.602 “I’m very happy about my third pole position of the season, taken with an incredible laptime which I couldn’t have imagined yesterday afternoon. The track is difficult and the asphalt is very particular, but we have adapted to that and could be the fastest. Being first on the grid isn’t a guarantee for anything and we know full well that tomorrow will be a tough race. And not only with Marc, because surely Iannone, Redding and some more will also be there to make it difficult.
I’ve always been on the podium at this circuit, four consecutive times and with one victory in 125cc, and I hope this will be the fifth time, if possible ahead of Marquez to reduce the gap in the championship.”
15. TITO RABAT, 1.44.063 “I had many problems with the front and I had more than one big moment, including one run-off. In my last attack I ran into a lot of traffic and it was impossible to do a good lap with nobody on the right line. I think I have a good pace and that I can be much further up in the race, although I couldn’t confirm this with a good position on the grid. I have to start well to hang on to the first group, because I’m sure that the team will continue working hard to give me a competitive bike which will allow me to equal the podium position from last year.
27. AXEL PONS, 1.45.217 “I improved my laptime from yesterday by over a second, but it wasn’t enough to gain a single position on the grid. The first part of the session went pretty well and I already rode in the low 1’45s. In the second attack to improve the times I went out with Pol and Tito, but I ran into a lot of traffic and it was impossible for me to take advantage of the last set of new tyres. Tomorrow I’ll start from far behind and I hope to have a bit of luck at the start to make up some positions and catch up with the middle group.”
Source: Pons Racing Press Release
