M2: Japanese GP: Marc VDS qualifying report

REDDING FLIES TO FOURTH CONSECUTIVE FRONT ROW

Scott Redding will start from the front row of the grid for the fourth race in succession, after qualifying in second position for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. Hector Faubel faces a tough race from the sixth row of the grid tomorrow, after a crash during qualifying left him down in 24th position.

Redding struggled with traction problems during this morning's free practice session and crashed without injury at the hairpin. Changes to the set-up of his Suter MMX machine improved things for qualifying, but it wasn't until the very end of the 45-minute session that Redding felt confident enough to push for a fast lap time.

The 17-year-old Briton jumped from seventh up to second with his last flying lap, finishing just two tenths of a second behind pole-sitter and reigning 125cc World Champion, Julian Simon, and claiming his fourth consecutive front row start.

Faubel crashed after just four laps of qualifying, losing the front of his Suter MMX machine after encountering once again the grip problems that have plagued him all weekend. The 27-year-old Spaniard knows he faces a tough race from the sixth row of the grid tomorrow, but is determined to try and fight his way into the points

Scott Redding #45: 2nd - 1'53.292
"I'm happy to be on the front row for the fourth race in a row, especially as we had some problems with the bike today. Traction is a real issue here and I had a crash at the hairpin this morning after running out of grip. We made some changes to the bike ahead of qualifying and then continued improving the set-up during the first half of the session. I was lucky to get a clear track right at the end of qualifying and managed to string a good fast lap together to finish second behind Julian Simon. The race will be tough, as grip is a real issue here, but I've got my sights set firmly on the podium and I'll be pushing as hard as I can to achieve this tomorrow."

Hector Faubel #55: 24th - 1'54.529
"The bike felt good at the start of the session, but then I crashed after just four laps when the front closed on me with no warning. After the crash the plan went out of the window and I just tried to get in as many laps as I could in the time available. In the end we simply ran out of time and I'm far from happy with the result. Tomorrow my best hope is for rain, which everyone tells me is a real possibility, as this would make it easier to fight my way through the field and into the points."

Michael Bartholemy: Team Manager
"I'm really happy Scott has, for the fourth time in succession, qualified on the front row of the grid. He worked closely with his crew to overcome problems with the bike, which they only really got on top of towards the end of the session. The fact that he was able to go out and immediately set a fast time shows how much confidence he has in the bike after his recent run of form. It will be a tough race, as it always is in Moto2, but I'm confident he'll be up there fighting with the leading group. Hector has had a difficult weekend, with a crash yesterday and then another today. Obviously this has knocked his confidence, which was reflected in his qualifying position, but I'm sure he'll be pushing hard to finish in the points tomorrow."

-source: marc vds