The Brazilian, who needed to qualify for Q1, will start in ninth place and will have to overcome the disadvantage of fourth place over Manuel Gonzalez (fifth).
The Moto2 class at the Valencia Grand Prix intensified the title battle between Diogo Moreira and Manuel Gonzalez. Although Daniel Holgado took pole position, the focus of the session was on the performance of the two championship contenders. Brazilian Diogo Moreira finished the day in ninth place on the grid, four places behind Manuel Gonzalez, who started fifth, after topping Q1.
Classification performance
Diogo Moreira started at a disadvantage on Saturday, finishing the general practice session in just 19th place, forcing him to sit out Q1. The Brazilian responded quickly and took the first lead, starting the session with a time of 1:32,668$. The session was close, with Albert Arenas reversing at the end to lead Q1 with a score of $1:31,177. Advance to Q2: Albert Arenas, Aaron Kane, Diogo Moreira, Filip Salac.
Pole was confirmed at the last moment in Q2. Daniel Holgado surprised his competitors with a time of 1 minute 31.715 seconds, securing him first place on the grid. Izan Guevara and Agius occupied the front row.
The top 10 formation on the grid was defined as 1st Daniel Holgado, 2nd Izan Guevara, 3rd Agius, 4th Albert Arenas, 5th Manuel González, 6th A Escrig, 7th Colin Beichel, 8th David Muñoz, 9th Diogo Moreira and 10th Vietti.
Moreira will start ninth and González fifth, forming a race scenario that will require a quick advance from the Brazilian and a strategy to negate his immediate opponent’s grid advantage in the title race.
The final scenario of the title
With the grid defined, the championship-defining scenario for Sunday’s race is clear.
Diogo Moreira becomes champion if:
The winner was Manuel Gonzalez, with Moreira finishing 14th and higher (1st to 14th).
Manuel Gonzalez is in second place regardless of Moreira’s final ranking (only whether he scores or not).
Manuel Gonzalez becomes champion if:
Gonzalez won the race, while Moreira finished 15th or below (outside of scoring range).
The Valencia race is expected to be a tactical clash, with tire management and overtaking ability crucial in determining the season champion.
The Moto2 race Valencia Grand Prix will be broadcast on ESPN4 and Disney+ from 8:15am this Sunday (16th).
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