France Moto2

Stefan Bradl has had a perfect qualifying score thus far in the 2011 season, earning pole position at the previous three rounds that have taken place.

The German did it again today in France, securing his fourth consecutive pole for the French Grand Prix. Bradl, riding for Viessmann Kiefer Racing, just slightly edged out Thomas Luthi of Switzerland with a fast lap of 1:38.357 (to Luthi's 1:38.402).

(Note: for comparison between Moto2 and the premiere class, Casey Stoner's fast lap to secure pole position was 1:33.153)

To illustrate just how tight the Moto2 class is, the top ten riders were separated by just 0.492 seconds. Increasingly the class is following in the footsteps of the 250cc machines; often with a large number of riders making up the lead group, exhibiting the same kind of go-for-it attitude the former division was famous for.

And just like the 250cc class it replaced, Moto2 is the natural progression to the premiere class. Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo, Simoncelli, and Pedrosa all came up through the ranks in the same way the riders coming to prominence in the Moto2 class will most likely be the guys to take over the mantel in MotoGP in years to come.

This is how the grid has shaped up for tomorrow's GP (the fourth race of 2011) in relation to where the riders stand respective to the series after three rounds.

2011 Le Mans Moto2: Qualifying Results:

1. Stefan Bradl (GER) - currently first with 61 points
2. Thomas Luthi (SWI) - currently fourth with 36 points
3. Yuki Takahashi (JPN) - currently sixth with 27 points
4. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) - currently 22nd with 5 points
5. Scott Redding (GBR) - not scored with 0 points
6. Marc Marquez (SPA) - not scored with 0 points
7. Simone Corsi (ITA) - currently third with 37 points
8. Andrea Iannone (ITA) - currently second with 48 points
9. Julian Simon (SPA) - currently fifth with 36 points
10. Dominique Aegerter (SWI) - currently ninth with 16 points.

Looking at the standings, and comparing them to the way qualifying unfolded, is testament to the closeness of the racing and the value of points.

Moto2 is quickly becoming the class to watch and tomorrow's Grand Prix of France is certain to see some radical changes in the points standings.