Moto2 Catalonia Barcelona FP3: Remy Gardner leads the way

Moto2 begins the second day of its Catalan Grand Prix under the sign of duels. A duel, in fact, between the Ajo team and Marc VDS Racing, whose drivers make up the leading quartet. Confrontation also within these teams between the teammates, and, finally, battle to know who is more worthy in Montmélo to bear the name of Fernandez: Augusto or Raul? The two men have, by the way, no family ties… For the moment, it is Raul, in KTM colors, who is leading the dance…

Augusto Fernandez (ELF Marc VDS Racing), who made a mistake in turn 12, was nevertheless in control at the end of the FP1. But on this Friday afternoon, Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the lead with this lap in 1'43.687. The No. 25, formerly ranked fourth, was in fact the only one to improve among the top five during this FP2.

We find the Madrilenian in front of the pair composed ofAugusto Fernandez et Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing), followed by the leader in the Championship Remy gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) inherits the fifth combined time.

Xavi Verge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) is in sixth place, ahead Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40) and Will Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team). Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), who had to settle for 15th fastest time in the first session, completed the Top 10, accompanied byAron Canet (India Aspar Team) who had preceded him that morning.

Fabio DiGiannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Jake dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing), are currently in a top 14 which directly opens the doors to Q2, like Marcos Ramirez (American Racing).

What will this last free practice session have in store for us before the big moment of qualifying? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far…

Catalonia – Barcelona Moto2™	2020	2021 (New turn #10)
FP1	1'44.122 Sam Lowes	1'43.703 Augusto Fernandez
FP2	1'44.531 Marcel Schrötter	1'43.687 Raul Fernandez
FP3	1'43.523 Sam Lowes	1'43.446 Remy Gardner
Q1	1'43.595 Joe Roberts
Q2	1'43.355 Luca Marini
Warm Up	1'43.924 Luca Marini
Course	Marini, Lowes, Di Giannantonio
All time lap record	1'43.355 Luca Marini 2020

kick of Baldassari in turn 7

The reference time is signed by A. Fernandez in 1.43.588s ahead Bendsneyder, Schrotter, Ramirez and Lowes.

kick of By Giannantonio in turn 4.

Lowes makes a mistake in turn 10

200th GP for the MarcVDS team, it’s worth celebrating! a victory for one of its pilots would be welcome!

There are 22 minutes left in this session and A. Fernandez who rides at home holds the line in 1.43.588s in front Bendsneyder, R. Fernandez, Gardner and Ramirez. The rest of the squad that would qualify for Q2 consists of : Lowes, Schrotter, Bezzecchi, Arbolino, Virgo, Garzo, Ogura, Canet and Chantra. 

Fall ofOgura in turn 4. Kubo also gets involved.

The kiss for luck..

2 minutes from the finish, Gardner takes the best time in 1.43.446s. He is ahead of his teammate R. Fernandez, A. Fernandez, Canet and Bensdneyder. 

The top14 for Q2 is made up of the following drivers: Gardner, R. Fernandez, A. Fernandez, Canet, Bendsneyder, Bezzecchi, Ramirez, Virgo, Lowes, Schrotter, Roberts, Arbolino, Dalla Porta and Ogura. 

            Moto2 Catalonia Barcelona FP3: times

Credit classification motogp.com