Brno, Czech Republic – 15 August 2015: Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS enjoyed its strongest Moto2 qualifying performance of 2015 in hot and humid conditions in the Czech Republic this afternoon, with Tito Rabat on the front row and Álex Márquez claiming a season best seventh on the grid.
 
Rabat ducked under his own 2014 pole position record of 2.01.911 to secure his ninth front row start of the season, while the reigning Moto3 World Champion qualified inside the top 10 for the first time in his debut Moto2 campaign.
 
Conditions were slightly cooler than yesterday’s scorching heat, but ambient temperatures still hit 30 degrees and track temperature nudged a fraction over 40 degrees.
 
Rabat and Márquez brilliantly capitalized on the more favourable conditions, though grip was still hard to find on the bumpy and slippery 3.357 miles Brno track.
 
Rabat’s best lap of 2.01.873 came as a result of radical overnight set-up changes to make him more comfortable on his Kalex machine and he will start in between main title rivals Johann Zarco and Álex Rins on the front row for the 20-lap race.
 
Márquez missed the second row of the grid by just 0.093s and the 19-year-old was delighted to comfortably beat his previous best qualifying result of 12th position.

Tito Rabat: 2nd – 2’01.873
“It would have been good to be on pole again here in Brno but the most important thing is that I am on the front row. We have worked well to improve the bike in every session and now I think we are ready to fight for the win. I was fast yesterday but not comfortable on the bike but today was much better. We have been working a lot on the setting of the bike in race trim, because it will be a long and difficult race over 20-laps in this heat. I think the fans could see another really exciting race like in Indianapolis where four or five riders will be battling for the win.”
 
Álex Márquez: 7th – 2’02.535
“I really like this track a lot and it is a good boost to build on our recent good work to get my best grid position in Moto2. My rhythm for the race is not bad but I still think we can improve so I can keep a competitive pace to the end and challenge for the top six. Qualifying so high up gives me a great opportunity to learn from the fastest riders in Moto2 and I certainly believe I can get my best result of the season.”
 
Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“It is a shame that Tito wasn’t able to get pole position but I think we made the time attack maybe a little bit early because Rins was able to improve right at the end of the session. But it is still a front row for him and a very positive day because it is the best qualifying performance by the team, with Álex finishing seventh. I’m happy with Álex because we know he is good on fast tracks like Brno and the good thing is he has the pace for a number of laps and is not just fast for one lap. We can certainly expect him to have a strong ride tomorrow if he has some luck, which hasn’t always been the case this season.”