M2: Spanish GP: Tech 3 Yamaha qualifying report

Tech 3 celebrate first Moto2 front row

Tech 3 Racing was celebrating in Jerez today after Yuki Takahashi produced a stunning qualifying performance to give the French team its first ever Moto2 world championship front row.

The Japanese rider will start the first Moto2 Grand Prix to be staged in Europe from fourth place on the grid after an incredibly close qualifying session at a Jerez circuit drenched in glorious sunshine this afternoon.

Takahashi was only 0.091s away from compatriot Shoya Tomizawa in pole position as just 1.9s covered the top 35 in a gripping session in the ultra-competitive Moto2 category.

With such a strong qualifying performance behind him, Takahashi is confident he can mount a serious podium challenge in tomorrow's 26-lap race having displayed a consistently fast pace throughout the weekend so far.

Raffaele de Rosa finished 15th quickest but he was only 0.571s away from pole position. The Italian has made major progress in improving braking stability on his Tech 3 Racing machine and is hopeful he can challenge for a top ten finish in tomorrow's race.

Yuki Takahashi 4th 1.44.463 -- 21 laps
"I'm happy with my qualifying performance again and we have improved my grid position from Qatar. With the times so close it is absolutely crucial to have a good qualifying. To be in the top eight is always our target and once again we have achieved it. It perhaps could have even been pole position because at the end I was less than a tenth off Shoya and I had a wheelie exiting the final corner which cost me a little bit of time. But to be on the front row gives me a really good chance of a positive result. Now the important thing is the race and I'm determined not to make a mistake like I did in the first race. We have only changed minimal things on the bike all weekend and that proves what a great job Tech 3 Racing has done with this project. My lap times are fast and consistent and each time I go out I go faster. I think that puts me in a good position to fight for the podium tomorrow."

Raffaele de Rosa 15th 1.44.943 -- 21 laps
"Today we made some improvements to help with my pace compared to the winter test here and also the first race in Qatar. The grid position is not fantastic but my feeling has improved a lot under hard braking going into the corner because previously I had some issue with stability in this area. I know after Qatar that it is very important to finish the race and get some good information and data for the Tech 3 Team. But I feel confident and I think a finish inside of the top ten is a realistic target."

-source: tech 3