Pedro Acosta will start from second place, with Albert Arenas fifteenth.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo faced the second day of the Italian Grand Prix this Saturday. Pedro Acosta earned another front row with second place, whilst Albert Arenas set the fifteenth fastest time and will take off from the fifth row.

Practice 3 started an intense Saturday in Mugello. The Red Bull KTM Ajo riders worked to reach Q2 in the best conditions, and Acosta was amongst the frontrunners before going on to dominate. Of his 12 laps, a new circuit record of 1:50.514 put him top of the timesheets at the Italian track. Arenas struggled to find a good feeling on the bike, but made adjustments and would earn a place in Q2. On the final laps he upped his pace further, getting 13th with a 1:51.442 on his last lap.

Both Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders went into Q2. Acosta continued with the pace he had run throughout the weekend and occupied the top spots, eventually achieving his best time on his third lap of 8. His 1:50.955 put him in second position, and he will start from the front row for the fourth time in this season. Arenas worked with the team to improve certain aspects that would allow him to lower his times. He tried to close the gap, although rising temperatures prevented him from going quicker than in the morning. On his second attempt he clocked a 1:51.737 that put him 15th on the grid.

The Moto2 race will start on Sunday at 12:15 PM, local time.

Results (Qualifying)
1. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:50.796
2. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:50.955 +0.159
3. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:50.958 +0.162
4. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:51.008 +0.212
5. Filip Salac (Kalex) 1:51.026 +0.230
15. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:51.737 +0.941

#37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We have to be happy with how the day went. Everything is very tight, especially this year with less track time. On Saturdays we struggle a lot in qualifying and now we are fighting for the first and second row almost every weekend. It’s something very positive for the race. It will be difficult to manage the tyres and we hope that the temperatures will be a little lower, in order for them to be able to hold on better.”

#75 ALBERT ARENAS

“Finally, the weather was favourable. We have improved some things compared to yesterday, although I can’t quite find the right feeling, especially when it comes to turning the bike and sensitivity with the front wheel. We know what will help us to have a good race tomorrow and fight back, so we’re focused on that. We’ll keep working this afternoon to find another step forward this Sunday.”