MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Despite a still damp track impeding progress on the combined timesheets, a hint of sun allowed the intermediate class to take slick tyres out of their covers in the closing stages of the final practice session and create some pretty sizeable gaps on the timesheets. Somkiat Chantra did not even bother with wet tyres and only joined the track in the final handful of minutes, heading straight to the top of the timesheets. Tony Arbolino was his main challenger but eventually settled for second position, over half a second behind the leader, both riders safely within Q2 based on Friday’s hierarchy. 

Sean Dylan Kelly won’t be joining them there, but the American rider made a late jump to join the top three of the session, while Filip Salac and Aron Canet completed the top 10 and the Q2 line-up. Lukas Tulovic also seemed to enjoy the tricky conditions as he claimed sixth in the session, but the more sluggish start on Friday leaves him in Q1. Joe Roberts, Jeremy Alcoba, Sam Lowes and Zonta van den Goorbergh completed the top 10 of the session, although only Roberts and Lowes have secured Q2 tickets – the Brit keeping the lead on the combined timesheets. 

After featuring quite heavily at the front at the start of the session, Pedro Acosta wasn’t tempted by slicks and eventually dropped down to 14th position, over four seconds behind the leader. The Spaniard had secured his Q2 spot on Friday, as did Ai Ogura, Celestino Vietti, Alonso Lopez, Albert Arenas, Manuel Gonzalez, Sergio Garcia and Jake Dixon. 

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