Moto2 Japan FP2: Jake Dixon strikes again

Moto2 returns to the track in Japan to kick off the sport's Asian tour. At Motegi, on a track where the entire grid has less experience overall, the riders' ability to adapt to lesser-known tracks will be put to the test. In the championship, Manuel Gonzalez heads into the four overseas rounds with a 39-point lead over Diogo Moreira and Aron Canet. Belgian Barry Baltus completes a top-four finish that tightened after Misano, 54 points behind the leader. So anything could change this weekend...

Moto2™ Japan, Motegi	2024	2025
FP	1'50.287 Filip Salac	1:49.067 Jake Dixon
P1	1'49.716 Filip Salac	1'48.679 Jake Dixon
P2	1'50.672 Aron Canet	1'48.319 Jake Dixon
Q1	1'49.742 Manuel Gonzalez
Q2	1'52.693 Jake Dixon
Course	Gonzalez, Ogura, Salac (See here)
All time lap record	1'49.716 Filip Salac 2024

The Moto2 FP2 of the Japanese Grand Prix is ​​the only opportunity to fine-tune the bike before qualifying, but it's still important. The half-hour of running given to the Moto2 riders begins in spectacular fashion, with an impressive rescue by Senna Agius. Ayumu Sasaki, who was very fast the day before on home soil, doesn't have the same success during an incident that sees him crash in sector 3.

In terms of time, Manuel Gonzalez, the championship leader, took the lead with a time of 1:48.592. This lap time, already faster than the previous day's times, allowed him to remain in the lead for most of FP2. Jake Dixon, still in great form at Motegi after an excellent start to the weekend, came to steal the lead in the final minutes with a lap of 1:48.319. This allowed him to win the session, ahead of the Spaniard and Zonta van der Goorbergh.

Aron Canet finished FP2 in 12th place, behind Barry Baltus, who finished 7th in his final effort. Diogo Moreira, after having fluctuated between 5th and 10th place throughout the morning, finished 9th fastest.

Moto2 Japan – FP2 standings at Motegi: 

Ranking : MotoGP.com