Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Remy Gardner has qualified on the second row for tonight’s Italian Moto2 Grand Prix.
The second-generation rider ended up fourth on the grid while rookie team-mate Raul Fernandez claimed pole position with a new intermediate class lap record at Mugello.
Fernandez’s 1:50.723s left him 0.267s clear of Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS), with the front row completed by Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up).
Light rain at the start of Qualifying 2 created a challenge for the 18 riders who had made it that far, with Gardner an early pace-setter on a 1:51.306s.
Lowes knocked that off with a 1:51.088s before Fernandez went more than three tenths faster.
Lowes subsequently got down to a 1:50.990s but could not get any closer, with the lap speed across the field starting to diminish.
Navarro, however, managed a 1:51.097s on his final tour which bumped Gardner off the front row.
The Australian, who leads Fernandez by a point at the top of the championship, was nevertheless happy with his output.
“It was a positive day for me,” said Gardner.
“I’m satisfied with the pace that we showed in qualifying. This morning we had a good FP3 as well.
“In the afternoon, the rain at the beginning of Q2 made it a difficult session with the various incidents and yellow flags. Nevertheless, I am happy to have taken a spot on the first two rows of the grid.
“We are ready for the race and, as always, we will do our best to get a great result.”
Joining the 23-year-old on Row 2 will be Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini) and Tony Arbolino (Liqui-Moly Intact GP).
Race start is due at 20:20 AEST, with 21 laps the journey.
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