Argentina Moto2: Record last lap leaps Lopez to pole position | MotoGP

Alonso Lopez pulled a late pole position out against the clock after a final run paid off on a new tyre in qualifying for the Moto2 Grand Prix of Argentina.

The Beta Tools Speed Up rider had earlier shone in the wet session, topping that with ease.

The Boscoscuro rider was on a lap with red sectors, but still peelied off into the pits.

Frantically pointing at the back of his bike for a new rear tyre with just three minutes to go, his team gave a quick turnaround, but fast laps were being set while he made the change.

Returning to the track in 18th the #21 reaped the benefits and made up masses of time in the final sector to return to pole after last appearing there in Valencia 2022 with a new lap record of the Termas de Rio Hondo track.

Aron Canet was the rider displaced by that lap, the Pons Wegow Los40 rider was top of the timesheets and held a big wobble at turn nine to finish just 0.041s behind his fellow countryman.

Third went to Somikat Chantra. The Idemutsu Honda Team Asia rider was the first to show there was more time to be found in the final sector, but he could not hold on to provisional pole after topping the timesheets briefly.

Dixon disappointed with fourth

Jake Dixon was the innovator when in came to dipping in for a new tyre in Q2. The British rider had been one of the early session leaders when he made his move for fresh rubber. The Solunion GasGas Aspar rider did not enjoy the same success with new boots that Lopez enjoyed. The bike felt different and not as easy to push for the fractions needed, leaving Dixon fourth but up for the fight for the win on Sunday.

Pedro Acosta will be looking to build on his first race win of the season from fifth after he found traffic and trouble and a clean lap eluded him, too many grey sectors saw him join Dixon on the second row for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

2022 winner Celestino Vietti set the sixth best time for Fantic Racing.

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