The Catalan Grand Prix started strong for the Moto2 protagonists as all the favorites for the world title found themselves at the front. The fact remains that both Lüthi, Álex Márquez and even Baldassarri were dominated by an Augusto Fernández who continues to assert himself. What will be the verdict of this final free practice session which is also the last opportunity for the drivers to take their ticket for Q2 without going through Q1?
Before knowing the answer to this question which also torments the whole clan KTM in full technical disarray, here is the table which summarizes the facts against time on the Montmeló route.
|
Barcelona Moto2™ |
2018 |
2019 |
| FP1 | 1'44.225 Francesco Bagnaia | 1'44.673 Tom Lüthi |
| FP2 | 1'44.340 Alex Marquez | 1'44.782 Augusto Fernández |
| FP3 | 1'43.560 Francesco Bagnaia | |
| QP1 |
XXX |
|
| QP2 | 1'43.474 Fabio Quartararo | |
| warm up | 1'43.628 Fabio Quartararo | |
| Course | Quartararo, Oliveira, Marquez | |
| All time lap record | 1'43.474 Quartararo (2018) |
23° in the air and 36° on the track are the conditions proposed to the pilots for the 40 minutes of the exercise.
We're away and running for # Moto2 FP3! 🚦
It's the final session to decide the all important 14 riders that will qualify directly into Q2! ⚔️#CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/BFCYKGhWSG
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 15, 2019
Luca marini signs the first reference in 1'44.497. But NAVARRO does better by 238 thousandths. By Giannantonio is fourth with the same Speed Up chassis, behind Alex Marquez et Marini. Bezzecchi fall… His ordeal continues on the KTM.
By Giannantonio climbs second so that after ten minutes, we have a double Speed Up! It is with this chassis, let us remember, that fabio quartararo won the Catalan Grand Prix in the category last year. Baldassarri is no longer in the top 14 qualifying for Q2. He is 16th just ahead Folger.
We've got a 1-2 for the SpeedUP teammates of @Jorge_Navarro9 and rookie @FabioDiggia21 with another rookie @eneabastianini not far behind! 💪#CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/3MPNF31opd
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 15, 2019
We stay there until half-time, The first KTM is only 20th with NAVARRO. The Austrian firm is not only dominated by NTS, but also MV Agusta…
Before the last quarter of an hour, the two Pons drivers who are Fernandez et Baldassarri roll together. The last city is sixteenth and the first ninth.
The last five minutes begin and the final sprint begins...
Boots on the ground! 💨
Every little helps when you're trying to stop for turn 10, right @ alexmarquez73? 😂#CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/VN4keMzQOL
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 15, 2019
Virgin fall at turn 5. He was 17th and will therefore have to go through Q1. And we'll leave it there, with a Speed Up double with NAVARRO before. Lowes is third in front Marini, Alex Marquez, Lüthi et bastianini. Baldassarri is ninth behind Schrötter and in front Gardner. Locatelli, Fernández et Nagashima close the top 14 to go directly to Q2. There are no KTMs there…
Catalan Grand Prix, Barcelona, Moto2, FP3: times
