Moto2: Simon on pole at Motegi

Moto2: Simon on pole at Motegi

Julian Simon stands an excellent chance of claiming his first Moto2 win on Sunday after taking his second pole of the season at Motegi in Japan.

Simon, second in the championship with three podiums from the last three races, took pole by 0.284sec from Scott Redding. The on-form Marc VDS rider, who signed a new two-year deal earlier this week, took his fourth front row start in succession.

Home hero Yuki Takahashi steered his Tech 3 motorcycle to third position, with world championship leader Toni Elias securing the final place on the front row.

Elias, who is 76 points in front of fellow Spaniard Simon with five rounds to go, has a slim chance of claiming the inaugural 600cc grand prix crown on Sunday. Six-time 2010 winner Elias needs to leave Japan with a lead of 101 points over second place.

Andrea Iannone, who took his third win of the year last time at Aragon, could only manage tenth.

Qualifying - Motegi:

1. Simon (Suter) 1m 53.008s
2. Redding (Suter) +0.284s
3. Takahashi (Tech 3) +0.431s
4. Elias (Moriwaki) +0.496s
5. Corti (Suter) +0.499s
6. de Angelis (MotoBI) +0.537s
7. Abraham (FTR) +0.553s
8. Bradl (Suter) +0.583s
9. Hernandez (BQR) +0.593s
10. Iannone (Speed Up) +0.739s

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