125cc – Losail QP1 – Simon beats Smith, Iannone third

The confrontation at Bancaja Aspar between Julian Simon and Bradley Smith in the 125 qualifying at Losail saw the Spanish driver excel, capable of taking pole position on his return to the eighth-litre class. Simon stopped the clock at 2'06"974, managing to beat his teammate after a long battle that saw both at the top of the standings, to the delight of Jorge Martinez.

Simon had the upper hand although Bradley Smith worried him quite a bit, more than what we have seen so far in the free practice sessions. In this comparison there is no room for opponents, even if Andrea Iannone's Aprilia number 29 stands out in the front row, the only one of our riders in the positions that count. The Abruzzo rider from Ongetta Team ISPA preceded Terol, Cortese, Gadea, Bradl and Espargaro on the grid, while the other Italians are outside the top ten.

Simone Corsi is only 19th, preceding Lorenzo Zanetti (20th), Lorenzo Savadori (23rd), Luca Marconi (24th) and Luca Vitali (30th). Italy therefore hopes in Iannone, even if the Aspar-Aprilia pair seems to have something more.