Moto2 Japan FP2: Somkiat Chantra at ease, Tony Arbolino is not awake

The Mobility Resort Motegi is hosting the 14th of the 20 rounds of the Moto2 World Champion this weekend, and early this morning for FP2. Peter Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) arrives there with the wind in its sails. A new dominant performance in India allowed him to widen the gap, but for Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), all in all it is only an additional difference of five points. After a difficult race in Catalonia, the Italian returned to the front during the last two rounds, and he will want to repeat the feat in Japan… 

Jake dixon (India GASGAS Aspar Team), for its part, was aiming for victory before its collision with Alonso lopez (Beta Tools Speed ​​Up), which also earned the latter two Long Laps for Japan. This will be an obstacle for the Spaniard, and the 90-point deficit at the top is a bigger obstacle for Jake dixon, but both arrive with the intention of rebounding.

Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team), which returned to the podium for the first time this year, will want to continue its momentum in Motegi, and Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40), the driver he beat in the spectacular last lap duel, will try to climb into the top five again, while his beginner's journey in the intermediate category continues to impress. This morning, the pilot Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Somkiat Chantra had achieved the best time in FP1.

Before we begin, here is a table which summarizes the known facts:

Motegi Moto2™	2022	2023
FP1	1'50.493 Augusto Fernández	1'50.477 Somkiat Chantra
FP2	2'04.479 Fermín Aldeguer	1'50.396 Somkiat Chantra
FP3	CANCELLATIONDUE TO RAIN
Q1	2'05.543 Arón Canet
Q2	2'04.939 Arón Canet
Warm up	1'51.100 Arón Canet
Course	Ogura, A. Fernández, López (See here)
All time lap record	1'49.961 Johann Zarco (2016)

 

The weather is still good in Motegi, even if this may not last tomorrow given the first forecasts. In any case, the drivers are ready for this second session.

 

 

From the first laps, a first fall for Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) prevents those who followed him from making a good reference whole. Immediately, Somkiat Chantra takes the best position exactly as in the first session. Alonso lopez is experiencing some difficulties, especially since he has had two long lapses that he will have to complete during the test.

 

 

A few falls punctuated this session, but nothing serious. Somkiat Chantra is firmly clinging to his P1, just ahead of the inevitable Peter Acosta, which is getting closer and closer to the title. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Garlic), the 3 Moto2020 world champion, is third.

 

 

FP2 is extremely calm, without too much action. The first three have still been in the same order for over twenty minutes now! But with less than ten minutes remaining, the drivers began to get agitated. We shouldn't get caught in the rain tomorrow! Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) achieves the best mark. But Somkiat Chantra instantly recovers his property. Filip Salač, the pilot QJMotor Gresini Moto2, falls while trying to catch up with the clock.

 

 

Sergio García (Pons Wegow Los40) falls in turn. In the last moments, Somkiat Chantra still improves while Dennis Fogia (Italtrans Racing) also tastes like Japanese asphalt. Tony Arbolino is not in the top 14! If it rains tomorrow, it won't improve and will have to go through Q1! Is this the title that is playing here?

 

 

Somkiat Chantra therefore appears as the clear favorite of this weekend, just ahead Aron Canet et Sam Lowes in FP2.

 

 

Moto2 Japanese Grand Prix FP2 results at Motegi:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Team Asia