The rookie sensation heads both the timesheets and a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 as testing concludes in Portugal
If anyone had doubts about the hype surrounding Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), the time to surrender them is now. It's a new year, new class, new number but the same sensation as the Moto2™ rookie smashed the lap record in testing at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, putting in a 1:41.552 to start the Jaws music early for the rest of the field.
In some further 2021 deja vu, Augusto Fernandez made sure it was a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 as he ended Monday 0.154 off his teammate, with Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) completing the top three. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) put the Boscocuro in fourth, 0.563 off the top, with Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) for close company.
There were a couple more tenths back to Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), with Joe Roberts just 0.011 back as his second season with Italtrans Racing Team gets off to a solid start. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) and Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) were next up, with Jorge Navarro (Flexbox HP 40) completing the top ten.
There were a number of crashes including one for Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) that saw the Dutch rider break his collarbone and another for Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) that led the German to leave early for a medical check on his hand.
The first session is when Schrötter crashed, as did teammate Jeremy Alcoba, Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW Racing GP) and Arenas. Canet crashed twice. In the second session, Canet, Alcoba and van den Goorbergh crashed again, and Bendsneyder suffered his tumble. Dixon also fell, as did Alessandro Zaccone (Gresini Racing Moto2), Gabriel Rodrigo (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Aldeguer. Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2) took two tumbles. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) also remained sidelined as he aims to recover from tendonitis in his wrist ahead of the Qatar GP.
After three interesting days on the Algarve, it's now time to look ahead to racing and the Qatar GP. The lights go out in less than two weeks, so check out motogp.com and social media for more interviews and content from Portugal and then get in gear for Moto2™ 2022!
Moto2™ TOP THREE - DAY 3
1 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - Kalex - 1'41.552
2 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - Kalex - +0.154
3 Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) - Kalex - +0.267
For full results, click here
Moto3: Foggia egdes out Migno with new lap record on Monday
The Italian hits back to end the test fastest, with a new lap record enough to deny Migno by half a tenth
Dennis Foggia lost the top spot to new teammate Tatsuki Suzuki on Sunday, but by the end of Day 3 the Italian was back on top and with a new lap record no less. His 1:46.990 makes him the only rider under the 1:47 barrier as testing concludes in Portugal, although the number 7 was only 0.052 ahead of Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) to take the spoils. Sophomore Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top three, 0.334 off the top, with the first session bearing the most speed for the majority of the field, top three included.
Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) was fourth quickest, around half a second off the searing new lap record, with rookie David Muñoz (BOE SKX) for close company in fifth as the Spaniard continued to impress and the timesheets tightened. Day 1 and 2's fastest rider, Tatsuki Suzuki, ended Monday in P6, ahead of Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team) and Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power). The biggest gap between fifth and tenth was just 0.037, and the tiny deficits continued throughout the field.
Suzuki and Migno crashed in the first session, with Garcia and rookie Brit Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) taking tumbles in the second session. There were no fallers in the final outing of the day for Moto3™.
That's a wrap on official testing for the lightweight class, now all there's left to do is race. Foggia will arrive in the Qatar GP as both the 2021 runner up and fastest rider in preseason, but can the Italian get his campaign off to a dream start? Check out interviews and more on motogp.com to get the lowdown from the test, and then strap in for the Qatar GP on the 6th of March!
Moto3™ TOP THREE - DAY 3
1 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) - Honda - 1'46.990
2 Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) - Honda - +0.052
3 Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team) - GASGAS - +0.334
DORNA