Joe Roberts’ good weekend form continued today as he secured his place at the top of the timesheets in Moto2™ FP3 as the American boosted his hopes of claiming a season first victory at the SHARK Helmets French Grand Prix with a 1:36.490.
The Tennor American Racing rider was the pacesetter throughout the session and he remained unchallenged there until a Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Team Racing VR46) time attack with just six minutes to go briefly put the Italian top, before a quick Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) lap saw the Briton jump into second. However, Roberts remained unfazed and put together a brilliant final run to ensure he goes into qualifying as Moto2™’s quickest rider, but it wasn’t a perfect run as he hit the tarmac on Turn 8 following his fast lap.
Despite this late crash @Joerobertsracer tops #Moto2 free practice! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) October 10, 2020
Job done! Onwards to qualifying! ????#Moto2 | #FrenchGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/GoT4k2v40G
Bezzecchi will join him, despite also crashing after the chequered flag at Turn 13, with Augusto Fernandez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) edging out teammate Lowes to third spot late on by less than three-tenths, while Remy Gardner (Onexox TKKR SAG Team) showed a return to form to round out the Top 5, but he remains nearly four-tenths off the pace. Conditions were dryer than yesterday’s sessions, but FP3 still had its fair share of incidents as multiple riders fell victim to the tricky track.
Aaron Canet (Inde Aspar Team Moto2) was the first to meet the gravel as he went down at Turn 10, while Lorenzo Baldassari (Flexbox HP 40) and Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) both hit the deck at Turn 8, with Martin fortunate to seemingly come away unharmed from a massive highside.
Oh my word! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) October 10, 2020
Not even a hint of a warning for @88jorgemartin who crashes at Garage Vert ????#Moto2 | #FrenchGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/BF8l1mv1mX
Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) ended up on the asphalt twice during the morning, but still managed a 14th placed finish, while Hecto Garzo (Flexbox HP 40) and Marcel Schrotter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) suffered the same fate at Turn 3 during their second runs.
It was a hugely disappointing morning from Championship contender Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) as he tucked the front at Turn 10 in the opening stages, and he never recovered as he finds himself all the way back in 27th on the timesheets and facing into a daunting Q2 session this afternoon.
While the fortunes of Championship leader Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) were reversed as he battled through the pain of yesterday’s monster highside to place inside the Top 10 and secure a Q1 berth.
Top 10 combined:
1. Joe Roberts (Tennor American Racing) – 1:36.490
2. Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.110
3. Augusto Fernandez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) + 0.338
4. Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) + 0.366
5. Remy Gardner (Onexox TKKR SAG Team) + 0.399
6. Jorge Navarro (Termozeta Speed Up) + 0.480
7. Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) + 0.626
8. Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Forward Racing) + 0.784
9. Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.806
10. Marcos Ramirez (Tennor American Racing) + 0.821
There is still plenty of Moto2™ action in the afternoon, as qualifying gets underway at 15:10 (GMT+2). Make sure to join us then to see who will earn pole in Le Mans.