Moto2

2022 Qatar Moto2 FP3 Result: Lowes Improves But KTMs Still One Step Ahead

Submitted by Zara Daniela on

The intermediate class got a windy start to day 2 in Qatar, bringing a flurry of yellow flags at the beginning of FP3, followed by a bit of a lull in the action and then a 10-minute attempt to challenge the combined standings. Sam Lowes was one of the few riders to improve early on and the Marc VDS man took over top spot in FP3 in its closing stages, but it wasn’t enough to demote the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo from the top of the combined standings, where Augusto Fernandez led from Pedro Acosta.

↑Back to top

2022 Qatar Moto2 FP2 Result: KTM Ajo Continue To Crush It

Submitted by David Emmett on

The dominance of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team in Moto2 continues. After topping the timesheets this morning, Augusto Fernandez was fastest in FP2 as well. Second was his rookie teammate, Pedro Acosta, making good on his preseason form. Marcel Schrotter was an impressive third, just over a tenth of second behind Fernandez despite breaking his hand just a couple of weeks ago. Celestino Vietti put the VR46 team into fourth, ahead of Aron Canet and Ai Ogura.

Results:

↑Back to top

2022 Qatar Moto2 FP1 Result: The Lone Fernandez Leads

Submitted by Zara Daniela on

Intermediate class riders returned to work officially in a hot afternoon at Losail and no one would have been surprised to see a Red Bull KTM Ajo machine at the top of the timesheets for most of FP1, with new recruit Augusto Fernandez in the limelight until the pace hotted up for the final handful of minutes. Several challengers showed their intentions with red patches flashing on the timing screens but Fernandez fought back to retain top spot by a tenth of a second.

↑Back to top

MotoGP's New Red Flag Rules - How They Will Work In Practice

Submitted by David Emmett on

Last week, the Grand Prix Commission changed the red flag rules for all three grand prix classes. Previously, the result of a race that was red flagged was taken from the last lap on which all riders had crossed the finish line before the red flag was shown. But in response to the perceived injustice of that situation, the GPC has changed to bring the result closer to the actual standing at the time the red flag was actually shown.

In the new situation, the final lap before the red flag was shown will determine the outcome. All of the riders on the same lap as the leader will be classified in the order they crossed the line. Any riders not on the same lap as the leader will be classified in the order they crossed the line on the penultimate lap before the red flag.

↑Back to top

Portimão Moto2 & Moto3 Test Notes: Development Returns, A Full Calendar Expected, And Acosta's Meteoric Rise

Submitted by David Emmett on

After three days of testing for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes at Portimão, the 2022 preseason is officially over. It was pretty much over by about 4pm on Monday, with just 10 riders out in the Moto3 class, and even fewer in the Moto2 class. I went for a quick walk around the service road at 5:30pm, and was too late to see the last bike circulate.

That is in itself a sign of how successful this test was for the lightweight and intermediate classes. Three days of outstanding weather, with the wind the biggest issue on the first day, and no disruption for the rest of the test. The teams got pretty much all of the testing done that they needed to.

Unlike a MotoGP test, the amount of technical material to test is limited. In Moto3, engine development is still frozen for another couple of years, although both Honda and KTM had new exhausts obviously aimed at improving engine character. In Moto2, Triumph had brought a new gearbox, which is more race-focused, with a longer first gear and shorter fifth and sixth, making it more of a close-ratio box.

New bits

↑Back to top

Portimão Moto2 Test Day 3 Times: Acosta Ends The Preseason As Fastest

Submitted by David Emmett on

Pedro Acosta confirmed his status as the hottest ticket in Moto2, by topping the timesheets at the final test of the Moto2 class at Portimão. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider was a tenth faster than his teammate Augusto Fernandez, while Pons HP40 rider Aron Canet finished third. Acosta wasn't the only rookie to impress, Fermin Aldeguer putting the Speed Up Boscoscuro bike into fourth, ahead of Albert Arenas.

There were a few crashes on the final day of the test as well, Bo Bendsneyder breaking a collarbone and Marcel Schrotter forced to miss out due to a hand injury.

↑Back to top

Pages

Subscribe to Moto2