Remy Gardner will start the Moto2 season-opening Grand Prix of Qatar from the second row after qualifying sixth for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Sam Lowes took pole position for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team, the British rider clocking a 1:58.726s.

Gardner’s team-mate Raul Fernandez of Spain qualified second on a 1:58.866s, 0.140s adrift of the chart-topping Lowes.

Dutch rider Bo Bendsneyder of Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team completed the front row, his lap of 1:58.959s putting him 0.233s away from the pole lap.

Gardner, who set a 1:59.197s, will line-up alongside fourth place qualifier Marco Bezzecch of Italy (SKY Racing Team VR46) and fifth placed Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) from the USA.

Gardner was fifth fastest in FP1 and FP2 before going on to set the eighth fastest time in the qualifying precursor, FP3.

The 23-year-old said he had to back out of his last lap, costing him the chance to improve late in the session.

Nevertheless, the Sydneysider was upbeat heading into Sunday’s opening race of the season.

“I’m pleased with the work we did today,” said Gardner.

“We have a good pace and I feel strong for tomorrow’s race. The aim was to be on one of the front two rows on the grid, and we achieved that.

“I can’t wait to start the first race of the year, in which we will do our best.”

Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Fabio Di Giannantonio, (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), and Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) completed the top 10.

The opening race of the Moto2 season gets underway tomorrow at 01:20 AEDT.