Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) leads the way after the opening two Moto3™ Free Practice sessions at the Gran Premio TISSOT de Aragon after laying down a 1:58.929 in FP2. It was a time good enough to pip Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) by just 0.045s, as Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completed a top three split by 0.076s.
All change in a frantic final few minutes! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) September 10, 2021
Despite traffic on his last lap, @Denizoncu53 is fastest of all! ????#Moto3 | #AragonGP ???? pic.twitter.com/EjDUeEZoc6
Leaving it late to improve…
For most of FP2, it was relatively quiet as the riders tackled the increased temperatures in the afternoon heat. Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) was the first real mover on the combined times before Guevara went P1 heading into the final 10 minutes of action. However, as we often see in the lightweight class, plenty of action came in the closing minutes. Red and orange sector times lit up as the riders piled out for the last couple of laps dash, with Öncü coming out on top.
Guevara, a triple winner at MotorLand Aragon in the 2020 Moto3™ Junior World Championship, enjoyed a successful day at the office, with Binder climbing up to third on his final flying lap. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) was another rider to improve on his last lap, the Spaniard sits P4 on Friday, 0.023s ahead of fifth place Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
Fastest lap of the day so far! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) September 10, 2021
In-form @IzanGuevara28 breaks into the 1:58s! ⏱️#Moto3 | #AragonGP ???? pic.twitter.com/p3M86PAYD4
Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) was the pacesetter in FP1 but failed to improve his 1:59.131 in the afternoon, meaning the Argentine slips to P6 on the combined times. Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) ends Day 1 in P7 after two strong sessions, the Czech rider leads Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy), Silverstone winner Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and rookie Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) – the Italians and Frenchman close out the top 10.
A crucial FP3 coming up
World Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) is P14 after two Free Practice sessions on Friday, can the title favourite cement a place in Q2 when the riders head out for FP3 on Saturday morning? Tune in a 09:00 local time (GMT+2) to find out.
Top 10:
1. Deniz Oncu (Red Bull KTM Tech3) – 1:58.929
2. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.045
3. Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) + 0.076
4. Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.081
5. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.104
6. Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) + 0.202
7. Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) + 0.227
8. Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) + 0.289
9. Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) + 0.306
10. Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) + 0.343