Agius & Binder get ready for Texas catch-up race
The Qualifying for the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas did not go entirely to plan for Senna Agius and Darryn Binder of the LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 Team. While Moto2 rookie Agius will line up on row eight in P22, Binder will have to start the Texas challenge from the last position on the grid.
This will be Senna Agius' first appearance on US soil. With a gradient of up to 40 metres and a 1200m straight as well as an anti-clockwise course, the 5.513km Circuit of the Americas is by far one of the most unusual race tracks on the calendar. This makes it a major challenge, especially for rookies, but the 18-year-old Australian has mastered the familiarisation with flying colours so far, as last year's European Moto2 champion has made significant improvements with every session. After a 2'08.617 in Q1, he will finally start the race from 22nd on the grid in row eight.
Suffering from a cold, Darryn Binder has struggled noticeably in the training sessions so far this weekend, especially as the COTA is extremely physically demanding. The 26-year-old South African was in the midfield during the sessions on Friday and Saturday morning but was unable to set a time due to cancelled lap times and a crash in the short, 15-minute Q1, which ultimately put him at the back of the grid. When the 16-lap Moto2 race gets underway at 19:15 (CEST), both LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP Moto2 team riders will be giving their all to end the third race weekend of the season on a positive note.
RESULTS
Free Practice
1. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'09.218
2. Joe ROBERTS/ USA/ KALEX – 2'09.279 (+0.061)
3. Alonso LOPEZ/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'09.359 (+0.141)
19. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 2'10.601 (+1.383)
21. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 2'10.966 (+1.748)
P1
1. Fermin ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'08.359
2. Sergio GARCIA/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'08.641 (+0.282)
3. Dennis FOGGIA/ ITA/ KALEX – 2'08.729 (+0.370)
19. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 2'09.569 (+1.210)
26. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 2'10.476 (+2.117)
P2
1. Fermin ALDEGUER/ SPA/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'07.543
2. Ai OGURA/ JPN/ BOSCOSCURO – 2'07.569 (+0.026)
3. Jake DIXON/ GBR/ KALEX 2'07.751 (+0.182)
23. Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX – 2'08.733 (+1.190)
25. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 2'09.177 (+1.634)
Q1
1. Celestino VIETTI/ ITA/ KALEX 2'07.797
2. Jaume MASIA/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'08.274 (+0.477)
3. Albert ARENAS/ SPA/ KALEX – 2'08.279 (+0.482)
8. Senna AGIUS/ AUS/ KALEX – 2'08.617 (+0.820)
NC Darryn BINDER/ RSA/ KALEX
