BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha MotoGP

Guevara and Ferrández to Start San Marino GP from P14 and P21

The BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team experienced an eventful qualifying day at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. After securing a double direct Q2 entry for the third time this season, Izan Guevara set the eighth-fastest time in qualifying, while Alberto Ferrández saw his efforts cut short by an unfortunate crash. Following a post-session 6 Grid Positions penalty for Guevara and a 3 Grid Positions penalty for Ferrández, the duo will start tomorrow's race from P14 and P21 respectively.

GRAND PRIX OF SAN MARINO

QUALIFYING

Misano Adriatico (Italy), 12th September 2026

14th

IZAN GUEVARA
1'34.117 / 7 LAPS

21st

ALBERTO FERRANDEZ
1'34.827 / 4 LAPS

The Grand Prix of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera Saturday took a turn for the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 team after qualifying. Following Friday's strong performance that saw both riders secure direct entry into Q2, the team was aiming for another positive result. Izan Guevara, focused on reducing the 32.5-point gap to the championship leader this weekend, initially secured eighth place on the grid. Meanwhile, Alberto Ferrández's promising qualifying effort ended prematurely after a late crash. The Spaniard was ranked 18th in the combined qualifying classification. However, both riders were handed post-session penalties for slow riding on the race line, thereby disturbing other riders. As a result Guevara will commence tomorrow's race from P14, while Ferrández will start from P21.

Guevara faced a challenging Q2 session. His first flying laps were cancelled for exceeding track limits, forcing him to return to the pit box without a valid lap time. With only one final opportunity remaining after yellow flags in the closing stages, the Spaniard delivered under pressure. His 1'34.117s, set on lap 7/7, secured eighth place in the qualifying timesheets, 0.399s from pole. After the session, Guevara was handed a 6 Grid Position penalty for slowing on the race line, which demoted him to P14 on tomorrow's grid.

Like his teammate, Ferrández's first Q2 stint proved unsuccessful as his lap times were cancelled for exceeding track limits. The rookie returned to the circuit with around five minutes remaining but suffered an unfortunate highside while pushing for a stronger grid position. Though another rider made contact with his bike in the aftermath, both riders were unharmed. Following a 3 Grid Position penalty for slow riding on the race line, Ferrández will start Sunday's race from P21.

The 22-lap Moto2 race will take place on Sunday, starting at 12:15 (GMT+2).

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ALEX DE ANGELIS
Team Manager, BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2

"Obviously, it was a complicated day for us in several ways. On the positive side, we made a step forward, especially with Izan, who improved his lap time to a 1'34.1s. That is a very good time, although it was not enough today because the riders at the front were extremely fast. At least it confirmed that the bike has improved compared with yesterday and that we had found a direction in which we could continue to make progress.

"Then came the penalty, which moves Izan back to 14th on the grid and changes our race strategy slightly. From the beginning, he will not be able to think too much about saving tyres or managing the race. He will have to attack straight away and recover as many positions as possible before the leading group gets away.

"For Alberto, unfortunately, qualifying was also compromised by a crash, which made things much more difficult and also resulted in a penalty that puts him back in 21st place on the grid. So, for him too, it will be a race of attacking and recovering.

"We know that these comebacks are possible for us. We have already shown that we can recover from difficult grid positions, so we believe in both riders and will do everything we can to get the best possible results tomorrow."

IZAN GUEVARA
BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Rider

"It was quite a busy day, with a bit of everything happening. This morning we only did a couple of laps, mainly to get an idea of our speed and understand where we were heading into qualifying. In qualifying, I felt comfortable on the bike, although it was difficult to put the perfect lap together. I was pushing hard and trying to make the most of the front, but I touched the green and lost the lap.

"I then managed to put together a good lap, and I'm happy with it because I feel I got the maximum out of the bike. I was able to qualify on the first three rows, but then I received a six-position grid penalty. Honestly, I think the penalty is too severe because I don't believe I was actually in anyone's way. The rider they said I interfered with went on to set a 1'33.9s on that same lap, which is a new outright lap record here in Misano, so it is difficult for me to understand how I could have affected his lap.

"Anyway, there is nothing more we can do about it now. I think we will start from 14th tomorrow, so the goal will be to attack from the beginning and recover as many positions as possible. We know we have the pace to be further forward, so we will give everything to make a good comeback."

ALBERTO FERRANDEZ
BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 Rider

"Today was a difficult day for us. This morning, the track was wet and the conditions were not ideal, so together with the team we decided not to take any unnecessary risks and not to lose the feeling we had built yesterday. I only went out for one lap to practise the start, and then we focused on preparing for qualifying.

"In qualifying, I did 2 laps and on my first run with a new set of tyres, I managed to set a good lap time, but I touched the green in a couple of corners and the lap was cancelled. I came back into the box and, when I went out again with the second set of new tyres, I crashed before I could set a lap time.

"Because of that, I don't have a valid time in the session, and I will have to start from more towards the back of the grid tomorrow. It's obviously not the result we wanted today, and I don't think it reflects what we are capable of, but sometimes things go this way. We have to accept it, learn from it, and keep moving forward.

"Tomorrow is a new day, and we will give everything we can to make the most of the race."