Binder & Agius to start Motegi challenge from row 6 and 10 respectively
The Japan Grand Prix has not presented an easy task so far for LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 rider Darryn Binder, who will tackle tomorrow's 19-lap challenge from 18th position, and JuniorGP rider Senna Agius, who has a Herculean task on his hands from the tenth row of the grid, but is ready to learn as much as he can!
After struggling in the practice sessions on the stop-and-go circuit at Mobility Resort Motegi, Darryn Binder awakened unimagined powers in Qualifying 1, storming to the top spot with a time of 1'50.294 right at the start of the 15-minute session and ending up second fastest in preparation for his next outing. In the following Q2, however, the South African could not repeat his performance, was 0.8 seconds slower, and finally was forced to settle for 18th place on the grid.
For Tulovic's replacement Senna Agius, there was not much time on Saturday to make up for the practice time he had lost due to his crash at the beginning of the second practice session on Friday afternoon. For the Junior Team rider, it was therefore a case of taking as much as possible with him and learning for the future. The 18-year-old Australian is more than ready to do that when he starts the 19-lap race on Sunday from 29th place on row 10.
Results
P1
1. Somkiat CHANTRA / THA / KALEX - 1'50.477
2. Pedro ACOSTA / SPA / KALEX - 1'50.617 (+0.140)
3. Filip SALAC / CZE / KALEX - 1'50.925 (+0.448)
12. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'51.422 (+0.945)
28. Senna AGIUS / AUS / KALEX – 1'53.121 (+2.644)
P2
1. Somkiat CHANTRA / THA / KALEX - 1'50.396
2. Aron CANET / SPA / KALEX - 1'50.433 (+0.037)
3. Sam LOWES / GBR / KALEX - 1'50.546 (+0.150)
18. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'51.632 (+1.236)
30. Senna AGIUS / AUS / KALEX – 1'53.339 (+2.943)
P3
1. Somkiat CHANTRA / THA / KALEX - 1'49.978
2. Ai OGURA / JPN / KALEX - 1'50.255 (+0.277)
3. Pedro ACOSTA / SPA / KALEX - 1'50.382 (+0.404)
24. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX – 1'51.673 (+1.695)
29. Senna AGIUS / AUS / KALEX – 1'52.709 (+2.731)
Q1
1. Alonso LOPEZ / SPA / BOSCOSCURO - 1'50.089
2. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX - 1'50.294 (+0.205)
3. Zonta VD GOORBERGH / NED / KALEX - 1'50.354 (+0.265)
4. Jake DIXON / GBR / KALEX - 1'50.368 (+0.279)
15. Senna AGIUS / AUS / KALEX – 1'51.881 (+1.792)
Q2
1. Somkiat CHANTRA / THA / KALEX - 1'49.898
2. Ai OGURA / JPN / KALEX - 1'50.018 (+0.120)
3. Jake DIXON / GBR / KALEX - 1'50.058 (+0.160)
18. Darryn BINDER / RSA / KALEX - 1'51.178 (1.280)
