The Mandalika and Sepang Tests may now be firmly in the rearview mirror of MotoGP™ riders, with the premier class turning their attentions to the season opener in Qatar. It proved a crucial workout as teams and riders aimed to get back up to speed, while this weekend, Moto2™ and Moto3™ will have their chance to spin some laps when they visit the Algarve international Circuit for the Official Portimao Test.
The sunny south of Portugal is scheduled to host three days of action, beginning on Saturday, February 19th. In the intermediate class, there will be keen interest surrounding Aki Ajo’s new-look team with reigning Moto3™ Champion Pedro Acosta joined by Augusto Fernandez in the Finn’s squad for the forthcoming season. The hope will be that they can keep the Moto2™ title within the ranks of Red Bull KTM Ajo come the end of season, but the likes of Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDA Racing Team), Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) and Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) will have other ideas.
In Moto3™, Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Sergio Garcia (Aspar Team Moto3™) and Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) are the riders to beat, with all three carrying considerable experience in the class and race winning pedigree. The lightweight class also sees the addition of several exciting names to the grid for 2022. Ana Carrasco (BOE SKX) returns to the class for the first time since 2015 while the likes of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), the 2021 Asia Talent Cup Champion, Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia), Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) are among a long list of rookie riders with burgeoning potential.
The Portimao Test offers all riders three more days of preparation as they aim to get up to speed for lights out in Lusail at the beginning of March. As per usual, motogp.com will be on hand to bring you the latest news and interviews from Portugal over the course of the weekend, while you can also keep an eye on proceedings throughout the day with Live Timing.
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