Fermin Aldeguer led Moto2 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Phillip Island, in Australia. Riding his Beta Tools SpeedUp Boscoscuro on Pirelli control tires, the Spaniard lapped the 2.76-mile (4.44 km) road course in 1:32.718, topping the field of 27 riders.
Fastest this morning, Aron Canet was second-best with a time of 1:32.995 on his Fantic Racing Kalex.
Aldeguer’s teammate, Alonso Lopez did a third-fastest 1:33.025.
American Joe Roberts finished Friday afternoon’s practice session 21st with a best time of 1:34.880 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aldeguer leads Canet on a tricky Friday in Australia.
The #54 was quickest on the opening day of action in Australia, finishing ahead of Canet and Lopez.
It was an intense day for the Moto2™ field in what could be a pivotal weekend at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) claiming the top spot on Friday. It was a sensational day for the #54, who looked unstoppable as the track began to dry in Friday afternoon’s Practice 1 session. Aldeguer led Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) by 0.277s after an impressive pace from the #44 in the final three minutes – improving on his final flying lap. Meanwhile, Alonso Lopez brought his Triumph-powered Beta Tools SpeedUp machine to third.
It was an extended 55-minute Free Practice session, with wet conditions used throughout and Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) setting an impressive early pace – clocking a 1:41.620. It was tough conditions, with Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) crashing at Turn 4 and was later declared unfit due to a fractured collarbone. Once Practice 1 began, conditions improved throughout the session with Pirelli slick tyres soon equipped and Aldeguer and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) trading top honours. Then, as the clock ticked down, Aldeguer improved as a hot pace formed in the final five minutes.
Round 16 winner Manuel Gonzalez (Gresini Moto2™) was fourth in a solid start to the weekend, placing ahead of Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team). The #96 was another rider who improved late, rounding out the top five ahead of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) in sixth. Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) took seventh in Practice 1, showing incredible pace despite a crash at Turn 4 on Friday morning. The #3 placed ahead of Gresini Moto2™’s Albert Arenas in eight, with the Spaniard setting nearly 20 laps in Practice 1.
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) rounded out the top 10 spots at Phillip Island after an action-packed season. Further back, Italtrans Racing Team’s Diogo Moreira grabbed 11th, with Ramirez securing 12th as the clock hit zero, with the #24 unable to enter the 1:33 bracket. Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) was 13th, with Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) taking the final provisional Q2 spot.
Join us on Saturday for an action-packed day, beginning with a crucial Practice 2 at 09:15 local time (UTC +11) before the Moto2™ field battle for pole position at 13:45 (UTC +11)!