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Australian Remy Gardner was unofficially quickest overall while Americans Joe Roberts and Cameron Beaubier were second and ninth, respectively, during day two of a private Moto2 and Moto3 test at Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal.
Gardner, the pole-sitter and Moto2 race winner at Algarve in 2020, did a 1:42.962 today on his new Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.
Gardner’s fastest lap during the 2020 race in Portugal was a 1:42.504, which is the standing Moto2 Race Lap Record and Circuit Best Lap Record.
Roberts, who finished seventh in the Moto2 race in Portugal last season, was second-quickest Wednesday (and third-best overall) with a lap time of 1:43.344 on his new Italtrans Racing Kalex.
“It went very well,” Roberts exclusively told Roadracingworld.com. “This is my first test of the year with the team. It went super good right from the beginning. I found a good feeling right away. We were trying not to get in over our heads because of the tricky conditions with the wind and quite a lot of crashes and stuff.
“We were able to put in some good lap times, but it was unfortunate. In the last session, I was trying to do a good time and they kept red flagging it. Every time I put on a new tire there was a red flag. So, it was a little frustrating with that because we weren’t able to show where we were with out lap time. But, overall, I’m really, really happy. I have a good feeling with the team already, I have a good understanding with my crew chief, and I’m feeling really confident heading to Qatar.”
Beaubier, who was riding at Algarve for the first time ever, was fifth at one point Wednesday but ended up ninth on the day (and 11th overall) with a time of 1:44.041 on his American Racing Team Kalex.
“I’m glad I got to ride here before we race because the track is pretty crazy!” Beaubier told Roadracingworld.com. “A lot of elevation that you carry a lot of speed over. And just in general, it was good to get laps in on this Moto2 bike and actually make some changes on myself and the bike.
“Today was kind of windy, but I was going pretty good after sleeping on it. I was fifth before lunch, which was cool, but then I tucked the front braking on an outside curb. The guys fixed the bike and I rode some more and was able to go a little faster towards the end, but so did everyone else. It’s impressive how fast these guys are. I’m looking forward to more.”
The Moto2 field is set to have an official test March 19-21 at Losail International Circuit, in Qatar. The FIM MotoGP World Championship, including Moto2, is set to begin at the same track March 26-28.
FIM Moto2 World Championship Private Test
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
March 3, 2021
Day Two Unofficial Lap Times (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:42.962
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:43.344
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Speed Up), 1:43.516
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.542
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.625
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:43.872
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.887
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.938
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:44.041
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.046
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.078
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.087
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.142
- Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.295
- Yari Montella, Italy (Speed Up), 1:44.338
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.588
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:45.407
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:47.433
Overall Unofficial Testing Lap Times (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:42.962
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.322
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:43.344
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Speed Up), 1:43.516
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.542
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.625
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.641
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:43.721
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.887
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.938
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:44.041
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.087
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.142
- Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.206
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.297
- Yari Montella, Italy (Speed Up), 1:44.338
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:44.645
- Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.710
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:44.981
More, from a press release issued by Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 Team:
TOP SIX FOR DIGGIA AT PORTIMAO
It was surely a positive test for Fabio Di Giannantonio and Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 who finished in the higher part of the timesheet a two day test marked by strong winds and plenty of work. With around 80 laps under his belt, the Italian rider logged a personal best lap time of 1’43.625 which confirmed the excellent feeling with the Kalex machine also on the challenging Portuguese track.
A trip to forget, on the other hand, for Nicolò Bulega who completed only few laps on day one and was then forced to be quarantined for a false positive Covid test result in the team. He and his crew will have to rethink and plan again their schedule in Qatar, the venue hosting the last preseason test of 2021.
FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #21 (1’43.625 – 80 LAPS)
“It’s been hard these two days. We did a lot of work, as there were plenty of things to do and try. We need to gel with together a bit better, but we’re improving each and every day. We’re getting more competitive and that’s very positive. We’re still a bit far from the top, but I think the three days at Losail will be crucial also considering that in the the last part of today we have found a direction with the setup that looks interesting. I’m charged up.”
NICOLÒ BULEGA #11 (1’44″697 – 38 giri)
“Unfortunately for one reason or another I rode very little, so I have very little data. Its a shame because there was a lot of work to do and the level of the competition is extremely high, so we need to keep our heads down in Qatar and make up for the time lost.”
