Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) started his 2nd season in Moto2™ in fine fashion on Day 1 of the Grande Prémio TISSOT de Portugal putting in the fastest lap of the day with a 1:42.391. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) followed in hot pursuit finishing the day in 2nd after topping Practice 1, with Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2) raising eyebrows and putting himself inside the Top 3.
The Elf Marc VDS riders of Sam Lowes and Tony Arbolino had a strong start to their weekends, finishing the day in 4th and 5th respectively, with both riders venturing into the Top 3 during the day. 7th place went to Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) who looks to improve on a rollercoaster 2022 season. It was an incredible day for the 2019 WorldSSP300 Champion Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team), who finished Practice 1 in 3rd spot and finishes the day in P7.
Watch out for the T14 gravel trap! ⚠️
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) March 24, 2023
Aron Canet makes a mistake on the same spot as Chantra ????#PortugueseGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/NmDevKssBW
Aron Canet had a mixed day which ended with his front end washing away from underneath him, with just 6 minutes of the day to go. The Spaniard was in 7th spot when he went down at Turn 14, but with hot laps coming in thick and fast, the 23-year-old was bumped down the order to P9. Alonso Lopez (CAG SpeedUp) was another late faller, the Spaniard asked a little too much of the front end of his Boscoscura machine, and ended the day in the gravel trap, dropping down to 8th by the time the flag came out.
Moto2™ will be back in action on Saturday for Practice 3 at 9:25 local time (GMT) and qualifying at 13:15 (GMT).
Top 10:
1.Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – 1:42.391
2. Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.098
3. Filip Salac (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 + 0.339
4. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Team) + 0.369
5. Sam Lowes(Elf Marc VDS Team) + 0.371
6. Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) + 0.429
7. Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Team) + 0.434
8. Alonso Lopez (CAG SpeedUp) + 0.529
9. Aron Canet (Pons Wegwow Los40) + 0.535
10. Fermin Aldeguer (CAG SpeedUp) + 0.648