The Lusail International Circuit once again provided high-octane drama under the iconic floodlights. The Moto2 Practice session at the 2026 Qatar GP saw Daniel Holgado emerge as the man to beat, setting a blistering pace that left his rivals scrambling. Meanwhile, Indonesian rider Mario Aji faces an uphill task as he finished the session in 26th place.
Holgado was the only rider to dip below the 1:56 mark, clocking an impressive 1:55.897. His performance was a masterclass in precision, navigating the desert circuit's unique challenges—where the combination of nighttime temperatures and lingering track dust often tests the limits of tire grip and chassis balance.
For Mario Aji, the session proved difficult. Campaigning his Kalex machine, Aji posted a best time of 1:58.298. Falling 2.401 seconds off the pace, he was unable to secure a direct entry into the Q2 qualifying session. Consequently, he must now navigate the treacherous Q1 session on Saturday to salvage his starting position.

The battle at the front was intense, with Filip Salac and Izan Guevara rounding out the top three, separated by mere fractions of a second. This tight field highlights the razor-thin margins in the 2026 season, where even the smallest adjustment determines the difference between a direct Q2 spot and the struggle of qualifying.
Mario's road to recovery in Q1 will be arduous, as he faces stiff competition from the likes of Joe Roberts and Tony Arbolino, who also found themselves outside the top 14. A deep dive into the telemetry and bike setup will be essential for the team as they look to unlock more speed for the qualifying shootout.
As the paddock turns its eyes toward Sunday's main event, the tension continues to build. Can Mario find the missing rhythm? The stage is set, and every millisecond in qualifying will prove vital in the hunt for championship points at this crucial opening round.



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