Dixon dominates on a dry afternoon in Indonesia

Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) has ended Friday at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia as the fastest rider in the Moto2™ class – and by some distance. The British rider’s 1:35.897 was 0.431s quicker than Celestino Vietti’s (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) effort in a dry FP2, with FP1 pacesetter Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) completing the top three.

Dixon dominates, leading contenders encounter drama

After witnessing no crashes in the FP1 sessions, three riders went down early doors in Moto2™ FP2. Turn 2 caught out Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) and Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40), before Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) suffered a nasty highside at the same corner moments later. Thankfully, all riders were ok, but Acosta crashed under yellow flags while the marshals cleared Canet’s bike. That has seen the reigning Moto3™ World Champion receiving a Long Lap Penalty in Sunday’s race. 

The session then settled down, with FP1 pacesetter Lowes a tenth clear of impressive rookie Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) heading into the final 10 minutes of action on Friday. That soon changed, however, as Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) leapt to P1. Dixon then moved the goalposts a further quarter of a second in his favour, before going 0.5s clear of compatriot Lowes on his next lap. Lowes, on a personal best lap, then crashed unhurt at Turn 10 – as Vietti snatched P2 off the British rider on his last flying lap.

Provisional Q2 places ahead of FP3

Acosta ended the day in P4 as teammate Augusto Fernandez ends Friday in P5. Aldeguer was shuffled down to P6 in the end but it was another strong showing from the reigning Moto2™ European Champion, the Spaniard finished ahead of seventh place Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team). Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), Canet and Gonzalez are inside the top 10 ahead of FP3.

Jorge Navarro (Flexbox HP40), Cameron Beaubier (American Racing), Marcos Ramirez (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Romano Fenati (MB Conveyors Speed Up) make up the rest of the top 14 riders, they’re all provisionally heading into Q2.

That could all change on Saturday morning of course. If the weather plays ball, the Moto2™ class will be able to try and improve their lap times. FP3 for the intermediate class gets underway at 09:50 local time (GMT+8) – don’t miss it! 

Top 10 combined:
1. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) – 1:35.897
2. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) + 0.431
3. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) + 0.594
4. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.632
5. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.739
6. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) + 0.750
7. Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) + 0.784
8. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.804
9. Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) + 0.898
10. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) + 1.074