Gonzalez smashes lap record in Portugal

The Spaniard was quickest in Practice 2 setting a new lap record ahead of Arbolino and Lopez

It was the last chance for riders to show their speed ahead of qualifying, with Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) being quickest of all, stealing the top spot in the last five minutes of the session and setting a new lap record in the process. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was second, with Italian benefiting from a tow from Gonzalez with less than a minute left on the clock. Beta Tools SpeedUp’s Alonso Lopez  (after spending most of the session in first) ended P3 in third position – looking strong ahead of qualifying.

Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) spent most of the session outside the top 10 but put in a fast lap at the end of the session to place fourth. Aldeguer was ahead of Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who significantly improved on his time from Friday - rounding out the top five. The Italian ended the session ahead of Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) in sixth. Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) had a rock-solid session, ending it ahead of OnlyFans American Racing Team’s Joe Roberts in eighth (at the venue where the American won his first Moto2™ race in 2022).

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) was ninth, after crashing in the last five minutes of action, placing ahead of Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team). Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) was 11th at the end of the season ahead of Barry Baltus who scored his first podium in Qatar. Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) was 13th, with Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team) rounding out the top 14. However, it was not smooth sailing for Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) and IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia’s Somkiat Chantra who will be forced to go through an unpredictable and vital Q2.

The Moto2™ grid now prepares themselves for qualifying which kicks off at 13:45 (UTC), so make sure you don’t miss it on motogp.com!

Top 10:

1 Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™)  1:41.716
2 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.115
3 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) +0.167
4 Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) +0.207
5 Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.385
6 Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) +0.418
7 Albert Arenas (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) +0.545
8 Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team)  +0.588
9 Aron Canet (Fantic Racing)  +0.620
10 Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team) +0.660
 
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