David Alonso was the man to win in Moto2 World Qualifying on Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas. The Colombian rider finished on top with a new lap record time. Alonso lapped the 3.43-mile (5.51 km) course in 2:05.203, breaking his own 2026 all-time lap record of 2:05.847 in a practice session yesterday. It was also his first Moto2 pole position.
Barry Baltes was second best in the REDS Fantic Racing Kalex 2:05.347.
Alonso López took the third and final spot in the Italjet Gresini Calex with a 2:05.363.
Row-two qualifiers included QJMotor MSI’s Angel Piqueras (2:05.454), HDR Speed ​​RS’ Celestino Vietti (2:05.500) and Dynavolt IntactGP’s Senna Agius (2:05.524).
More from the MotoGP press release:
Alonso takes the Holgado P16 maiden pole in Austin. For the first time in Moto2, the Colombian will start from pole as the championship leader prepares to start from row 6 after coming through Q1.
For the first time in Moto2, David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) will start from pole position on Saturday afternoon after switching his dominant position to P1 on Friday. The 2024 Moto3 World Champion will be joined on Austin’s front row by Barry Baltes (REDS Fantic Racing) and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with championship pacesetter Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) only P16 through Q1.
Alonso set a new all-time lap record of 2:05.203 to finish just a tenth and a half off the improved Bates.This year, the Belgian was starting from the front row for the first time despite crashing late in Q2. The Moto2 rookie took his best result in P4 as Lopez edged out compatriot Angel Piquerras (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI) from the front row – but the Spaniard faces a double long-lap penalty on Sunday.
Celestino Vietti (HDR SpeedRS Team) and Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) complete the second row in the United States, with Australian teammate Manuel Gonzalez from P10. That means the two in the championship won’t appear on the front three rows on the grid.
Home Hero Joe Roberts (US fans only) is hunting for 11 good points.Th On the grid, that’s the Californian’s best qualifying result of 2026, now that we have what looks like a Moto2 cracker at COTA on Sunday.
Tune in to watch at 13:15 local time!
Post Moto2: Alonso took the pole position at COTA It appeared at first Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle riding, racing and technology news.
 course in 2:05.203, breaking his own 2026 All-Time Lap Record of 2:05.847 he set yesterday during the practice session. It was also his first Moto2 pole position. Barry Baltus was second-best with a 2:05.347 on his REDS Fantic Racing Kalex. Alonso Lopez claimed the third and final spot on the front row with a 2:05.363 on his Italjet Gresini Kalex. Row-two qualifiers included QJMotor MSI's Angel Piqueras (2:05.454), HDR Speed RS' Celestino Vietti (2:05.500) and Dynavolt IntactGP's Senna Agius (2:05.524). More from a press release issued by MotoGP: Alonso clinches maiden pole, Holgado P16 in Austin. For the first time in Moto2, the Colombian will launch from pole as the championship leader gets){kind=link}