Catalunya : 125cc gridSixteen year-old Pol Espargaro took a career-first pole position in qualifying for the 125cc Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya, following up his provisional top spot from Friday afternoon.
The Spaniard, who has broken records the last two years
at his home track as the youngest points scorer and podium finisher in Grand Prix history, is a hot favourite for victory tomorrow after three consecutive top four finishes.
Espargaro´s pole position time was 1´50.557, cutting over half a second from his Friday marker. The Belson Derbi teenager had another crack at lowering the time late on in the session, but found American rider Stevie Bonsey in his path. Subsequent gestures suggested frustration and preoccupation for Espargaro, but with his time remaining unbeaten that proved unneccesary.
Over a tenth of a second slower, Mike di Meglio also confirmed his previous position of second on the grid. The Frenchman is also riding with a Spanish connection; Ajo Motorsport manufacturer Derbi are based near the Barcelona circuit.
Jack&Jones WRB´s Nico Terol and Blusens Aprilia´s Scott Redding complete the front row, with both having a high level of experience at the Circuit de Catalunya. For Terol it is his home race, whilst rookie Redding is a veteran of the Spanish national championship.
World Championship leader Simone Corsi heads row two, ahead of home rider Sergio Gadea and Gabor Talmacsi –riders for the Spanish Bancaja Aspar team.
Once again pushing to the limit in search of pole position, Bradley Smith had a nasty crash with four minutes to go in the session. Hanging off his bike in order to prevent a highside on the fast chicane, when Smith eventually let go the speed of the bike rebounded it awkwardly off the safety barrier, and into the oncoming Polaris World rider. If fit to compete, the 17 year-old will start from the back of the second row.
