Moto2 Portugal FP2: Joe Roberts makes the powder speak

Moto2 had the best track conditions this morning on the Portimao track, with as few moisture spots as possible on the Portuguese asphalt. A first session marked by a duel between the two Ajo drivers in KTM colors which was however settled by a third thief: Joe Roberts.

Author of a tour in 1'43.905, the American therefore concluded the exercise in front of the duo of the Red Bull KTM Ajo team formed by Remy gardner et Raul Fernández. The rookie, winner here last year in Moto3, led the proceedings, but he ultimately had to settle for third time.

Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) occupied fourth position ahead of the first Boscoscuro in the hierarchy, that ofAron Canet (Solunion Aspar Team). Winner of the first two races of the season from pole position, Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was sixth in front Jorge Navarro (Lightech Speed ​​Up) and Stefano manzi (Flexbox HP40).

Among the other rookies, Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) wasted no time in getting his bearings on a Moto2 in Portimão as he took the tenth time behind Nicholas Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2).

What will this FP2 have in store for us? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.

Moto2™ Portimao	2020	2021
FP1	1'43.740 Marcos Ramírez	1'43.905 Joe Roberts
FP2	1'42.941 Luca Marini	1'43.144 Joe Roberts
FP3	1'42.728 Remy Gardner
Q1	1'43.032 Marco Bezzecchi
Q2	1'42.592 Remy Gardner
Warm Up	1'43.363 Marcel Schrötter
Course	Gardner, Marini, Lowes
All time lap record	1'42.592 Remy Gardner

22° in the air and 25° on the track under an overcast sky are the conditions proposed to the pilots for the 40 minutes of exercise.

The first reference is signed by Raul Fernandez in 1'44.741. The Ajo duel resumes since it is Remy gardner who responds with a 1'44.499. Sam Lowes waits until the end of the first quarter of an hour to put in his two cents in 1'43.979. Then come Garzo, Ogura, Bezzecchi, Arenas et Joe Roberts repel Raul fernandez in eighth place.

Halfway through the session, Chantra enters the top 3. The Americans are also showing off.

The last quarter of an hour has begun and Raul Fernandez resumes the offensive in 1'43.872. Aron Canet falls at turn 5, despite all his efforts...

Joe Roberts made a 1'43.144 which will be difficult to achieve...

Moreover, the brand will remain that of the day. Joe Roberts therefore achieves the double and sets the tone for the rest of the meeting… Raul Fernandez, Canet Gardner et Bezzecchi complete the top 5. Sam Lowes is seventh. Dixon is 11th, behind his teammate Virgin. Chantra is the last direct qualifier in Q2, for the moment… Fabio DiGiannantonio is an anonymous 19th.

Moto2 Portugal FP2: times

Credit classification motogp.com