After two days of private testing in Jerez and three days of official testing in Portimão, “el tiburón de Mazarrón”, in other words the shark of Mazarrón, Peter Acosta, clearly showed his wing to his opponents in the Moto2 World Championship!
Over the five days of testing, the 3 Moto2021 world champion was the fastest on four occasions, missing fifth by only 22 thousandths, but concluding the tests in the lead every time! There is hardly a clearer message for the small fry ready to be devoured...
However, this domination on paper still hides serious adversaries, starting with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), second in the 2022 championship behind Augusto Fernandez left this year in MotoGP with Tech3. The Japanese rider did not participate in the last tests, having injured his wrist during motocross training, but has certainly not lost the level which already makes him tipped in MotoGP to replace Takaaki Nakagami at LCR in 2024 and has a home emulation in his box in the person of the always smiling but efficient Somkiat Chantra...
Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) also beat the “baby shark” last year and his name appeared at the top of the timesheets again during these trials. Will he be the predatory orca of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team's shark?
Last driver to surpass number 51 last season, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) seems to take a little more time to get into action but will be able to count on his experienced teammate Sam Lowes, visibly in good shape currently, to form a shock duo.
Finally, the question remains Fermín Aldeguer (CAG Speed Up), 2nd in the test on the Autódromo do Algarve, but less consistent than the aforementioned names and dependent on its efficient but exotic SpeedUp Boscoscuro…
Peter Acosta, who, this year, recovered #37 fromAugusto Fernandez, was one of the most consistent drivers of this pre-season and dominated the debates throughout the long weekend in Portugal, setting the circuit record in 1'41.907. He did not take part in the last session of the last day, having completed his work plan earlier with very satisfactory results. But be careful, even when it sleeps, a shark continues to progress...
Peter Acosta : " I think we worked very well with the team. It's true that ultimately, by having a base like the one we had, we knew where the problems were and more or less how to solve them or how to work. I think these five days have been very good, counting both Jerez and Portimão, the team has worked very hard, I think we have worked on the points that cost me a little last year. I'm ready to run! »
Aki Ajo, Team Director: “ We should be very happy because most days of the pre-season the weather conditions were stable. We had a good testing program with our Moto2 riders. Pedro is entering his third season with the team, so he has been focusing on different things than in recent years. This is his second year in Moto2, and he has made a lot of progress. His speed and rhythm are truly excellent. »
The 2023 season begins this week with the Portuguese Grand Prix, which takes place from March 23 to 26.
Ranking of the test in Portimão (J3):
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
