Migno uncatchable on Friday, Rodrigo tops FP2

FP2 had the prospects to be one of the most important sessions, with dry weather remaining meaning that, with the threat of rain, it could be the last dry time the Moto3™ riders get this weekend. This means that the top 14 after day one could well be the ones going straight through to Q2 tomorrow. Leading the field into battle for the rest of the weekend, Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) was on top of FP2 but Andrea Migno (Mugen Race) remained fastest overall on combined times.

As the session go underway, all the riders entered the track in a flurry of action, all eager to bank a good lap time early on. Times were some way off what they were able to achieve earlier on in the day but the session was still young. Numerous teams employed a strategy of sending both riders out together in the early stages, with the VNE Snipers duo of Tony Arbolino and Julian Jose Garcia lapping together – the latter of which was learning the circuit for the first time.

As the session continued the standings still looked the same as FP1, with nobody able to conquer their times from the morning session inside the top ten. Raul Fernandez (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) moved into the provisional top 14, moving to third overall in the session. With 15 minutes to go, FP2 times saw the top 22 covered by a second, with the typical tight gaps through the leader board. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was on top for the majority of the session, as he asserted himself as a challenger for the rest of the weekend.

In the final 10 minutes, there was plenty of action as the timing screens saw lots of orange and red sector times light up, suggesting that we were now witnessing the faster times of the day. However, it was the calm before the storm as all 29 Moto3™ riders came back into their boxes not long after, making for a ‘mini qualifying’ session in the final five minutes.

With five minutes remaining the gloves came off, as Gabriel Rodrigo improved to go top of the session and enter the top four on combined times. However, despite everyone improving their times from the session, overall, it would not be the case. Rising temperatures and a slippery track surface meant that the majority of the front runners from the morning’s session stayed where they were. Andrea Migno was on top overall from Arbolino and Suzuki, whilst Rodrigo – who topped FP2 – was fourth overall. Dennis Foggia was second in FP2 and concluded day one in fifth.

Other improvers included the likes of Makar Yurchenko (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race), as the Kazakhstan rider was up to seventh, whilst the top two in the championship – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) and Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) – were 12th and 14th overall, crucially inside the top 14 should rain interfere with FP3 tomorrow morning.

After irresponsible riding in FP1, Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was handed a back of the grid start, whilst Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrustelGP) joined the penalty club for the same reason – his punishment however would be a 12-place grid penalty.

Top 10 after day one, full results here!

1. Andrea Migno (Mugen Race) 1’42.789
2. Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) +0.252
3. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) +0.278
4. Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) +0.318
5. Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46) +0.421
6. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrustelGP) +0.427
7. Makar Yurchenko (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race) +0.431
8. Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) +0.669
9. Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) +0.692
10. Albert Arenas (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) +0.768