The Italian rider sets the second fastest time in qualifying, with Deniz Öncü thirteenth.

There was a positive Saturday for Red Bull KTM Ajo at the San Marino Grand Prix. Both of the team’s riders went directly into Q2, and Celestino Vietti fought for pole position before placing second. Deniz Öncü improved his feeling compared to Friday and set the thirteenth fastest time.

The morning practice session was held in optimal track conditions and the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders took advantage of the opportunity to take a big step forward. Vietti carried over the good feeling he had experienced the previous day and was once again among the fastest riders on the grid, his 1:35.172 on his 13th lap of 15 making him the second fastest rider. Öncü felt much more comfortable compared to Friday and secured fourteenth position late on, with a time of 1:35.791.

Qualifying was held amidst high temperatures, putting extra demand on the Red Bull KTM Ajo riders. Vietti was one of the stronger candidates for pole position from start to finish, and put in eight laps -the penultimate of which being a 1:35.240 that put him back on the front row of the grid, in second position. Öncü continued to feel good, but did not improve his time from the morning due to the conditions. With a large number of the riders going round within the same second, he was thirteenth with a time of 1:35.967.

The Moto2 San Marino Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 12:15pm local time.
 

Results Qualifying
1. Tony Arbolino (Kalex) 1:35.229
2. Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:35.240 +0.011
3. Ai Ogura (Boscoscuro) 1:35.419 +0.190
4. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:35.446 +0.237
5. Diogo Moreira (Kalex) 1:35.521 +0.292
13. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:35.967 +0.738

#13 CELESTINO VIETTI

“We knew where we needed to improve today, and we did it. I was surprised to be able to achieve these times with such high temperatures. I’m very happy, and it was a good last run. Unfortunately, we missed out on pole by such a small margin, but I am happy also for Tony. Tomorrow will be a good battle with him and Ai, so I am looking forward to it. My feeling and rhythm today were good, so I am optimistic for tomorrow. It will be a tough battle but we are confident.”

#53 DENIZ ÖNCÜ

“We have finished the second day with a bittersweet feeling. We have improved and taken a big step forward compared to yesterday, especially mentally. After yesterday I was a bit down mentally, because the feeling with the bike wasn’t good. But today we changed our mindset, and that helped us to improve. Tomorrow we will try to have fun and I will do my best.”