Moto2: Filip Salač (OnlyFans American Racing Team) sets himself up for the best possible start to the Austrian Grand Prix after claiming pole position in what’s shaping up to be a formidable weekend for the Czech rider. Fastest on Friday and even faster on Saturday in Spielberg, Salač fired in a 1:32.381 to smash his own lap record and secure a first pole position in three years as title-chase leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and his compatriot Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) complete the front row.
Salač hit the front with just under three minutes remaining, bettering the benchmark he had established on Friday by 0.021s. And the #12 wasn’t finished there: his penultimate lap was just 0.010s shy of improving again, but his 1:32.381 remained untouchable as the final attacks came in.
The biggest threat came from Gonzalez. With less than two minutes remaining, the Spaniard vaulted himself into P4 before finding another sizeable step just before the chequered flag, a 1:32.502 putting him second and only 0.121s away from Salač. Gonzalez was fastest through Sector 1 on his final attempt too, but couldn’t sustain the challenge over the remainder of the lap. That left Escrig to complete the front row in third, just 0.146s adrift, ahead of Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Campolor – MSI), who will lead the second row. Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was the first rider to take the chequered flag whilst sitting provisionally fifth, a position he ultimately held ahead of David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team). Further back, Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) took seventh ahead of Q1 graduate Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Team) completing the top ten. Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing), Deniz Öncü (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), Celestino Vietti and Luca Lunetta (BETA Tools SpeedRS Team) followed, while Senna Agius’ (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) session came to an early end after a sizeable crash at Turn 2B, with the Australian thankfully OK.
For Salač, it marks a first pole position since the 2023 Portuguese Grand Prix, where he went on to finish fourth, and just the second Moto2 pole of his career. He also becomes the 11th different polesitter of the season, adding another name to an already remarkably varied 2026 qualifying campaign. With Salač on pole, just over a month after winning his first Grand Prix, ManuGas and Escrig also launching from the front row, the Red Bull Ring is set for a Moto2 battle for the ages on Sunday. **************************************
Win Your Dream Motorcycle with Apex66 Competitions: Use our Invitation Code REF3588730 or click the banner below:
**************************************
Support Modern Classic Motorcycle News and become a YouTube Member for just £5 per month. Members help keep the channel independent and receive extra value, including x2 digital issues of M.C.M. News Magazine free per month join here:
Out Now on Kindle
**************************************
Amazon.co.uk
Oxford Beast Lock Padlock
Amazon.co.uk
Oxford Beast 22mm chain
For more Moto2 info check out our dedicated Moto2 News page
Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com
©Words/Images are from an official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com
* Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and make a purchase.
Any money made goes straight back into the website and magazine. Your support is appreciated!
