The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team will start the first race of the 2022 season on the front foot with Tony Arbolino and Sam Lowes qualifying on the first row at the Lusail International Circuit.

• Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit hosted the first qualifying session of the 2022 Moto2 World Championship and it yielded spectacular results for Elf Marc VDS Racing Team.
• It was almost a dream qualifying session for the team, as Sam Lowes and Tony Arbolino traded pole position twice in the final six minutes on Saturday afternoon. In the end, Arbolino qualified second, and Sam Lowes third and both have high hopes for Sunday’s 20-lap race.

/// SAM LOWES – 3^rd, 1’59.226

• Having missed chunks of preseason testing due to suffering from tendonitis in his left wrist, the Briton eased his way into the first round of 2022. He felt an improvement in his physical condition from Friday to Saturday and set the fastest time in FP3.
• Lowes then attacked qualifying with all he had and thought he had achieved a famous pole after setting the fastest time only to have his lap cancelled for exceeding track limits at turn 15. He was then demoted from first to third.

“I honestly believe I have the pace”

“All yesterday I didn’t feel so good. Two weeks ago I was struggling a lot with my body. The team has done such a great job this winter because it’s not gone smoothly. So, I’m really happy to be competitive again in the first qualifying of the year to give the team something back. I didn’t expect that. But when I lost the pole position after the flag it was also a strange feeling! It’s a little disappointing in some ways. Anyway, I’m really positive with the step from yesterday to today. My hand is getting better but I don’t want to make any predictions. If someone told me on Thursday, I’d have a front row start and the chance of a top six finish, I’d have signed. Tomorrow depends on the wind. If the wind is strong, it will be closer. If it’s not there are four or five guys that pull away. I honestly believe I have the pace so let’s get a good sleep and have a good first race.”

/// TONY ARBOLINO,  2^nd, 1’59.194 s.

• The 21-year old worked hard with his team on Friday to find a setting that makes him more comfortable in heavy braking areas. There were signs of improvement in FP3 when Tony set the tenth fastest time.
• The Italian was inspired in qualifying as his final lap time was just 0.112s off pole. Second place is Tony’s best qualifying result in the Moto2 class, and his first time on the front row.

“The hard work has paid off for me”

“This feels incredibly good! The hard work has paid off for me. I’ve just worked hard during the winter. I feel amazing with the team. From the first person in the team to the last, they’ve all worked really hard to achieve this and give me a bike that I can push in my own way. I’m so happy about that. I can’t wait for tomorrow to have a good battle with the first riders and try to keep a good pace and be fast. This is our main target. I’m so happy about that. I want to enjoy the moment and enjoy the race tomorrow.”