Moto2 heads to the Motegi track this week to contest the Japanese Grand Prix. Championship leader Ai Ogura will be defending his interests at home, trying to increase an advantage that is starting to weigh. We will therefore have to keep an eye on the #79, while the weather will be uncertain this weekend. For now, it is time for the riders to contest Qualifying. In the morning, Aron Canet distinguished himself on a drying track in P2.
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Moto2™ Japan, Motegi |
2023 |
2024 |
| FP | 1'50.477 Somkiat Chantra | 1'50.287 Filip Salac |
| P1 | 1'50.396 Somkiat Chantra | 1'49.716 Filip Salac |
| P2 | 1'49.978 Somkiat Chantra | 1'50.672 Aron Canet |
| Q1 | 1'50.089 Alonso Lopez | 1'49.742 Manuel Gonzalez |
| Q2 | 1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra | 1'52.693 Jake Dixon |
| Course | Chantra, Ogura, Acosta (See here) | |
| All time lap record | 1'49.898 Somkiat Chantra 2023 |
Qualification 1:
The weather is finally showing itself to be kind to the Moto2 riders, who are competing in the Qualifying of the Japanese Grand Prix in dry conditions at Motegi. While until now, only P1 had been played in fairly normal conditions, a few riders who missed out on their Friday found themselves trapped this morning by the sight of the raindrops.
In terms of time, three drivers really made the difference during this Q1, by maintaining a lead over their opponents during the first attempts. Manugel Gonzalez thus posted the best time in 1:49.742. The Spaniard was followed by the two drivers from the RW Racing GP team, Zonta van der Goorbergh, and the Belgian, Barry Baltus. The three men were the only ones to lap in the minute 49.
In good shape since this morning, Sergio Garcia had not managed to get into the top-14 yesterday. This is now done for Ai Ogura's closest pursuer in the championship, with a time of 1:50.075.
Qualification 2:
The rain made its return in Q2, having appeared at the end of Q1. The times were therefore slower again, but it was Jake Dixon who put an option on pole, setting a time of 1:52.693 from the very beginning.
Fresh out of Q1, Van der Goorbergh and Baltus moved into second and seventh place. Many then tried to improve in vain. The track conditions deteriorated, and prevented the drivers from improving, which froze the classification after only a few minutes.
While the top two retain their rankings, they are followed by Aron Canet and Joe Roberts. Ai Ogura is unlucky at home and only ranks ninth. The race promises to be lively, as some of this weekend's strong men will start the event further back on the grid than expected.
Moto2 2024 Japanese Grand Prix FP result at Motegi:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com