Guevara Sets Moto2 Lap Record for Motegi Pole
Izan Guevara claimed Moto2 pole at Mobility Resort Motegi with a record lap of 1:46.851. Filip Salac qualified second and Manuel Gonzalez third, with Gonzalez leading the championship. American Joe Roberts qualified 19th.
Izan Guevara’s Motegi pole came with a 1:46.851, improving the 2026 all-time lap record he had set earlier in FP2. The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Boscoscuro rider led a 27-rider field on the 4.8-kilometer Japanese circuit.
Filip Salac took second for OnlyFans American Racing Team despite crashing early at Turn 1, while championship leader Manuel Gonzalez completed the front row in third. Joe Roberts, also with American Racing, qualified 19th.
Guevara’s record pole may heighten attention around Moto2’s Japanese round, potentially drawing more viewers and spectators to Motegi. Local hospitality and tourism businesses could see modest benefits from race-weekend traffic. For teams and sponsors, a strong qualifying result may improve visibility, while Gonzalez’s front-row start could shape championship interest. Fans of American rider Joe Roberts may follow his recovery from 19th, though outcomes remain uncertain.