Joe Roberts achieved the best performance in the second free practice session of the Catalan Grand Prix in the Moto2 category, the ninth round of the 2022 World Championship scheduled at Montmelò in Barcelona. The American rider from Team Italtrans set the best lap in 1'44.752 and preceded Aron Canet (Pons) by 0.109s, who in turn beat the rookie and youngest winner in Moto2 by only 76 thousandths. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull Ajo).
The 2021 champion of the Moto3 category has been one of the most efficient in terms of race pace and is still aiming for a race as protagonist. No. 51 is ahead Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans), Alonso lopez (Speed Up), Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull Ajo) and Will Bendsneyder (SAG). Aspar pilots Jake dixon et Albert Arenas and the Japanese Ai Ogura close the Top Ten. Also in provisional Q2 Marcel schrotter (Intact GP), Sam Lowes (Marc VDS), Celestino Vietti (Marc VDS) and Filip Salac (Gresini).
What will this FP3 have in store for us as the hostilities continue in this Catalan Grand Prix? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.
|
Catalonia – Barcelona Moto2™ |
2021 |
2022 |
| FP1 |
1'43.703 Augusto Fernandez |
1'44.450 Aron Canet |
| FP2 |
1'43.687 Raul Fernandez |
1'44.752 Joe Roberts |
| FP3 |
1'43.446 Remy Gardner |
1'44.154 Joe Roberts |
| Q1 |
1'43.684 Jorge Navarro |
|
| Q2 |
1'42.977 Remy Gardner |
|
| Warm Up |
1'43.732 Augusto Fernandez |
|
| Course |
Gardner, R. Fernandez, Virgo |
|
| All time lap record |
1'42.977 Remy Gardner 2021 |
It's 28° in the air and 45° on the track. It's sunny.
Small session to put the back in place for Dixon!
Getting ready for a very important FP3 💪
It is @jakedixonracing's pre race ritual – squeezing into his leathers to help defend his P3 position⚔️ #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/bKBFkt4TYf
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
It's gone for 40min
# Moto2 FP3 starts here 🔥
We're expecting some very hot laps this morning 👀#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/eTT21Pf4ru
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
The fastest time at the start of the session is achieved by Dixon in 1.44.155s. He is ahead Baltus, Lowes, Schrotter and Dalla Porta
Roberts takes control in turn in 1.44.154s.
Runway exit for Ramirez which does not fall..
A bit of dirt biking for @24Marcosramirez 👀# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/CtkT4qapFY
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
The 14 drivers who would go to Q2 with 30 minutes to go would be: Roberts, Dixon, Bendsneyder, Arenas, Baltus, Dalla porta, Lowes, Schrotter, Ogura, Canet, Vietti, Fernandez, Acosta, Salac
kick of Van Den Goorbergh
Roberts hold the line...
The session leader 💪
Check out @Joerobertsracer as he tackles turn 1 in super slow motion 🔥# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/d7u9knAxht
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
Canet slightly behind this morning..
He's been the fastest all weekend, but can he do it again? 👀
Ride onboard with @aroncanet44 as he looks to set the home crowd alight 🙌# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/cnW6cG4sHW
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
Very calm session and few riders on track: 8 minutes before the finish the riders get back in the saddle..
Acosta makes the effort….3rd
The times are getting really tight now 👀
These next few minutes are going to be intense 🔥# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/yWOCbgXvnn
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
Top 14 final: Roberts ahead of Dixon, Acosta, Bendsneyder, Arenas, Baltus, Dalla Porta, Canet, Salac, Lowes, Schrotter, Gonzalez, Ogura, Fernandez
A nervous moment for Vietti 💥
The World Championship leader holds on but will need to scrap that lap 👀# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/Tz5MUC8Wu0
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
Joe Roberts the fastest..
What a lap from @Joerobertsracer 💪
The pack are incredibly close but it's Roberts who can celebrate P1 🙌# Moto2 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/MNzeyYOzvt
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
Result of FP3 of the Moto2 Catalan Grand Prix on the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit:
Credit ranking: MotoGP.com
