A win is all Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) can do at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana to have a chance at taking the Moto2™ title, and the Spaniard will head into qualifying as the man to beat. The rookie sensation’s 1:35.212 was just enough to beat second place Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) by 0.078s, Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was also within a tenth in P3, as World Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finishes P10.
It's going to plan for @25RaulFernandez ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) November 13, 2021
P1 before qualifying for the Spaniard ????#Moto2 | #ValenciaGP ???? pic.twitter.com/hej64g9fpI
Raul Fernandez fastest again, but it’s tight
Sunshine greeted the Moto2™ class for their final FP3 session of the season, and it’s safe to say it was a busy one. Mixed conditions on Friday meant the clear Saturday morning stint was perfect for the riders to improve, with everyone able to beat their efforts from yesterday. In the end, Raul Fernandez was able to front a Spanish trio at the spearhead of the times, as title rival Gardner sits 0.396s down on P10.
Q2 qualifiers
After a big crash in FP1 yesterday, Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was unsure whether he’d be able to take part in Saturday’s action. But the British rider came out, gritted his teeth and secured an impressive P4 in FP3 to sit 0.110s away from Raul Fernandez. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) rounded out the top five ahead of qualifying, with Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46), Marcos Ramirez (American Racing), an unhurt crasher at Turn 4, Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Gardner all siting 0.3s off top spot.
Jorge Navarro (Termozeta Speed Up), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Tetsuta Nagashima (Italtrans Racing Team) and Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team) are the other automatic Q2 qualifiers.
This could prove to be a crucial lap of this #Moto2 weekend ????@GardnerRemy was on the cusp of being outside the Top 14 but he goes eighth ????#ValenciaGP ???? pic.twitter.com/2utUCUTEb6
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) November 13, 2021
A huge qualifying session is coming up for the Moto2™ title challengers. Raul Fernandez holds the advantage so far on home turf, can Gardner find some time and get a solid starting slot? Find out at 15:10 local time (GMT+1).
Top 10 combined:
1. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:35.212
2. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) + 0.078
3. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.079
4. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.110
5. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) + 0.308
6. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) + 0.332
7. Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.365
8. Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) + 0.366
9. Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.383
10. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.396