Fifth position for Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider, taking second best qualifying position of the year despite rain interruption. Gabriel Rodrigo will take off from 27th.

It was a positive second day at the German Grand Prix for Danny Kent, who qualified for the second row tomorrow with fifth position after a qualifying session terminated by rain 15 minutes before time. Gabriel Rodrigo continued learning at the Sachsenring and accumulated kilometres ahead of his third World Championship race, for which he starts in 27th position for the Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo team.

Danny Kent started the day very fast, at the head of the standings from the early stages in the final free practice session. Confident after his good performance yesterday, the Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo rider lowered his times from Friday to finish second, with a time of 1:27.234. Substitute rider Gabriel Rodrigo put in a further 20 laps, with a best time of 1:29.176 for twentieth.

Kent took a second row start with fifth place, having set the exact same time of 1:27.357 as the fourth-placed rider in qualifying. The Briton was not completely satisfied, hindered by the rainfall in the final 15 minutes of the session which prevented further improvement.  Conditions also disrupted the plans of Rodrigo, as despite improving for the fourth consecutive session he concluded 27th with a 1.28.569 lap.

The ninth race of the year starts tomorrow at 11.00 am, local time, with the aim for Danny Kent to finish as high as possible. Rodrigo is seeking to end the race in the Top 20.

Results – Qualifying practice
1. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:26.997
2. Alexis Masbou (Honda) 1:27.106 +0.109
3. Alex Marquez (Honda) 1:27.143 +0.146
4. Karel Hanika (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:27.357 +0.360
5. Danny Kent (Red Bull Husqvarna Ajo) 1:27.357 +0.360
27. Gabriel Rodrigo (Avant Tecno Husqvarna Ajo) 1:28.569 +1.572

Danny Kent >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“It was not our best result in a qualifying session this year, but we have prepared the race in the best possible way. I’m happy with how we go into the race tomorrow, very confident and feeling good. The qualifying session was a bit disappointing, because we were not able to complete the whole session and I think I could have gone a little faster. Also, when I set my fastest time I had to overtake lots of riders. I am satisfied with starting from the second row of the grid and now it’s time to prepare for tomorrow. The goal will be to try to get on the podium. We have always been in the Top 5, and I think we have the pace to have a good race.”

Gabriel Rodrigo >> Audio (solely for radio use)

“Every time I feel more comfortable with the team, the bike and the circuit, which is quite tricky. Every time we are out on track we are improving. It was a shame about the rain because there could have been further improvement, and we still had a set of tyres to use. Especially since the rain fell when I was lowering my times a lot. Here two tenths is a huge difference in positions, but we are happy because we have improved. Although maybe we could have improved more, racing is like that and tomorrow will be more fun because we will have to fight back. The goal tomorrow is to finish the race, and see if we can get into the top 20. The forecast is that tomorrow it might rain, so we’ll see. In fact I think we have the pace, as it wasn’t a crazy lap in qualifying. If I can get away well and make a good first few laps then we can be up there.”