FIM Moto2 World Championship Test
Jerez, Spain
November 24, 2018
Day Two Results (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
1. Luca Marini, Italy (Kalex), 1:41.524
2. Sam Lowes, UK (Kalex), 1:41.792
3. Alex Marquez, Spain (Kalex), 1:41.901
4. Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:41.991
5. Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy (Kalex), 1:42.035
6. Jorge Navarro, Spain (Speed Up), 1:42.196
7. Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:42.241
8. Augusto Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:42.264
9. Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (Kalex), 1:42.282
10. Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:42.305
11. Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:42.311
12. Tom Luthi, Switzerland (Kalex), 1:42.361
13. Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:42.465
14. Stefano Manzi, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:42.743
15. Simone Corsi, Italy (Kalex), 1:42.782
16. Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Speed Up), 1:42.812
17. Enea Bastianini, Italy (Kalex), 1:42.875
18. Steven Odendaal, South Africa (KTS), 1:42.880
19. Andrea Locatelli, Italy (Kalex), 1:42.888
20. Lukas Tulovic, Germany (KTM), 1:42.916
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Marini makes his mark on Moto2™ testing
Italian takes charge on Saturday after getting beaten to the top on Day 1
Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) topped the second day of testing for the new era of Moto2™ in southern Spain despite a crash, with the Malaysian GP winner having just been beaten to the honour late on Friday. His 1:41.524 put him just over two and a half tenths clear of his nearest rival, Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), with the Brit once again a force to be reckoned on his return to the Gresini squad. Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completed the top three, and was another frontrunner who crashed.
Rain interrupted action mid-way through the day, and in the final session only Steven Odendaal (NTS RW Racing), Lukas Tulovic (Kiefer Racing) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) went out – so the combined timings were decided much earlier. In those combined timings, fourth was Remy Gardner (SAG Team) as the Australian ended the day less than a tenth off Marquez, with the top five completed by Friday’s fastest, Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP 40). The Italian was close though, just 0.044 off Gardner.
Jorge Navarro (Speed Up Racing) began his Speed Up career in a solid P6 in a tight top ten, with Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Augusto Fernanández (Pons HP40) in seventh and eighth respectively. Tetsuta Nagashima (SAG Team) and Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), changing team, completed the top ten on Day 2.
Then came the first of the rookies: Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46), another who impressed despite a crash. Bulega was also the quickest debutant on Friday and ended Day 2 in P11 – more solid form from the Italian as fellow rookies Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) took P16 and P17 respectively. Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was P24, whereas reigning Moto3™ World Champion Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) sits on the sidelines injured. His teammate, Brad Binder, was P13 and fastest KTM, with Martin’s replacement Iker Lecuona beginning his stint just behind Bezzecchi.
The fastest MV Agusta on their return to the paddock was Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Forward Racing), who slotted into fourteenth.
Sunday brings more track action for the intermediate class as the new era of Triumph power begins – don’t miss a thing from Day 3 of the Official Test!