Liqui Moly Intact GP's Marcel Schrötter is the man to beat in Moto2™ after the experienced German found a late lap to jump to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of action at the Tissot Grand Prix of Portugal. He holds an advantage of over half a second ahead of Saturday's FP3, with Britain's Jake Dixon (Autosolar GasGas Aspar Team) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) his closest rivals.
After a downpour during FP1 meaning only 11 riders set a laptime, the intermediate class were relieved to get some slightly more favourable conditions for FP2. It took until four minutes of the session remained before Schrötter jumped to the top, displacing Dixon in the process. Beaubier quickly put his Austin disappointment behind him by taking the final spot inside the top three.
Zonta van den Goorbergh tumbles at turn 8! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
Heart in the mouth moment for the Dutch rider but thankfully he quickly got to his feet! ???? #Moto2 | #PortugueseGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/TUjVMMZwS0
A fraction behind his compatriot was Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), who didn't let an earlier off in FP1 affect him too much. Elf Marc VDS Team's Sam Lowes sits seven tenths adrift of Schrötter in fifth.
In a tough day for the rookies, FP1 pacesetter Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW Racing GP), Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Spanish sensation Fermin Aldeguer (Lightech Boscuscuro) all crashed out in the afternoon. Flying Dutchman van den Goorbergh went down over the brow of the hill at the exit of Turn 8, Acosta surfed his way to the gravel trap at Turn 1 and Aldeguer also tucked the front at Turn 1.
After taking the brunt of Friday's weather in both of their sessions, the Moto2™ field are yet to show their hand when it comes to knowing who are the contenders and who are the concerns. Free Practice 3 on Saturday should hopefully reveal all.
Moto2™ top ten on Friday:
1. Marcel Schrotter - (Liqui Moly Intact GP) – 2:00.678
2. Jake Dixon - (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.501
3. Cameron Beaubier - (American Racing) + 0.713
4. Joe Roberts - (Italtrans Racing Team) + 0.731
5. Sam Lowes - (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.735
6. Augusto Fernández - (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.779
7. Tony Arbolino - (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 1.235
8. Aron Canet - (Flexbox HP40) + 1.347
9. Barry Baltus - (RW Racing GP) + 1.385
10. Somkiat Chantra - (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) + 1.412