2014 Moto3™ Champion Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) started his season in perfect form by ending Day 1 in Qatar on top of the timesheets, just 0.038 in front of the returning Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors) and 0.053 ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46), with all three gunning for the title this year. That made it Kalex-KTM-Kalex, with the battle hotting up already.
Following a more difficult campaign last season for Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) - including mid-season injury - 2018 has started far better for the German as he concluded the day fourth quickest, with the fastest man in Free Practice 1, Lorenzo Baldassari (Pons HP40), close behind to complete the top five.
#Moto2 FP2 ????@alexmarquez73 wraps up the first day on top of the times from the returning @SamLowes22 and @PeccoBagnaia #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/cfwxaR0bim
— MotoGP™???????????? (@MotoGP) March 16, 2018
Expected title contender and three-in-a-row 2017 winner Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took P6, ahead of Isaac Viñales (SAG Team), Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and fastest rookie Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers). Reigning Moto3™ World Champion and fellow rookie Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) took P13 after missing the final preseason test through injury.
Moto2™ go qualifying at 17:40 local time (GMT +3). For full results from Friday, click here.