Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped the second day of testing for 2018 for the intermediate class at Jerez, putting in a 1:41.518 to just beat Day 1’s fastest Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) to P1 by a tenth.
There’s no official timing, but most of the grid are present and most with transponders – with Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) once more the fastest rookie, in P16 and 1.2 seconds off the top. 2017 Moto3™ World Championship runner up Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) was P23, with Bo Bendsneyder (Tech 3 Racing) beating the Italian to the honour of second fastest rookie.
Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was third fastest another tenth back on Bagnaia, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P4. Danny Kent (Speed Up Racing) moved significantly forward on Day 2 to lock out the top five as he returns to the intermediate class grid in an impressive showing on the Speed Up – making it three chassis manufacturers in the top five.
Sam Lowes (CGBM Evolution) was P13 on his return as he readjusts to life in Moto2™, and was just seven thousandths quicker than Hector Barbera (Pons HP 40) as the Spaniard also moves from the premier class. Lowes is now on a KTM – who topped the timesheets with Oliveira - and Barbera on a Kalex.
Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was the fastest Moto3™ rider of the few sharing the track with the intermediate class runners once more – with Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) second quickest. Reigning FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Champion Dennis Foggia was present a he settles into full-time duty with Sky Racing Team VR46, half a tenth off his compatriot.
Also present were new FIM CEV Repsol signings with Red Bull KTM Ajo Can Öncü and reigning Asia Talent Cup Champion Deniz Öncü. Both Turkish riders put in a good number of laps, with Deniz suffering a crash – rider ok – as they prepare for their new adventure.