Rodrigo four tenths clear of Migno on Day 1

Rain disrupted the closing stages of Moto3™ FP2 in Portugal as the Argentine holds a healthy advantage going into Saturday’s action

Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) holds a healthy 0.476s advantage over Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) after setting a 1:49.538 in Moto3™ Grande Prémio 888 de Portugal FP2, with Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Jaume Masia completing the top three on a mixed conditions Day 1 in Portimao.

Improved track conditions in the early afternoon allowed the lightweight class riders to immediately improve on their FP1 times, with the damp patches no longer an issue. Masia didn’t bother heading out on Friday morning but the Qatar GP winner didn’t take any time getting reacquainted with the rollercoaster, the Spaniard was at the top of the pile in the early stages from teammate Pedro Acosta.

John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed at Turn 4 towards the beginning of FP2, thankfully the Scotsman was ok though as he and Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) prepare for a pitlane start – plus five and 10 second penalties respectively – on Sunday. With 17 minutes of Friday’s running to go though, the white and red rain flags started waving as the dark clouds started to swarm over the Algarve International Circuit.

It wasn’t coming down hard enough to slow the riders down though, as Rodrigo went 0.4s clear with just over 10 minutes left. And it was a time that would go unbeaten. The rain arrived with seven minutes left to play and the Portimao layout fell silent, meaning Rodrigo heads into Saturday’s action as the lightweight class man to beat.

Behind Migno and Masia comes Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Valresa Aspar Team) in P4, 0.623s away from Rodrigo’s time, with Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) rounding out the top five on Day 1 in Portugal. World Championship leader Acosta sits P6, just ahead of seventh place Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP), Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) and last of the top 10 finishers Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3).

Make sure you’re tuned in for Moto3™ FP3 on Saturday morning at 09:00 local time (GMT+1) to see who will make it straight into Q2.

Top 10 combined:
1. Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) – 1:49.538
2. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.476
3. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.504
4. Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Valresa Aspar Team) + 0.623
5. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.732
6. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.771
7. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.885
8. Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP) + 0.972
9. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) + 1.078
10. Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) + 1.103

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