Deniz Öncü will start the French GP from the eighth row of the grid.

The French Grand Prix qualifying sessions were held on Saturday at the Le Mans circuit. Deniz Öncü continued to enjoy a good feeling and improved in the demanding Moto2 class. The Turkish rider, who was unable to make it through to Q2, will start from 22nd in Sunday’s race as he targets a finish in the points.

Öncü started the day with clear ideas after the work he had done on Friday. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider increased the pace and quickly improved his time from Day 1, also reducing the gap to his rivals and trying to occupy a position in Q2. However, difficulties in the closing minutes meant he would not be able to go directly into the second session. He clocked his best time on his fifth lap of 19, with a 1:35.963 that put him 23rd. In Q1 he pushed hard from start to finish, aiming for a place in the Top 4. Unfortunately, Öncü finished in eighth position through his 1:36.252, and will start from 22nd position, on the eighth row of the grid.

The 22-lap Moto2 French Grand Prix race will start at 12:15 pm on Sunday.

Results Qualifying
1. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:35.037
2. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:35.173 +0.136
3. Sergio Garcia (Boscoscuro) 1:35.248  +0.211
4. Albert Arenas (Kalex) 1:35.337 +0.340
5. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 1:35.437  +0.400
22. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.252 +0.815 *Q1 time

 

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“We have finished our second day at Le Mans with a good feeling. We are still learning and understanding the bike, and trying to improve session by session. We are taking steps forward, so hopefully tomorrow in the race we can fight for the points, which is my goal for the moment. I am just counting the days to be able to win races again, and we are on a good path to achieve it.”