Heavy rain characterized the first free practice session of the Moto2 category of the Portuguese Grand Prix, the fifth stage of the 2022 World Championship. Only 11 riders took to the track, with the best time going to Zonta van den Goorbergh. The RW Racing GP Team driver achieved the best performance with a time of 2'04.519, the only driver to go under the 2'05 barrier.
Second and third beat for Alessandro Zaccone (Gresini) and Niccolo Antonelli (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), which preceded Joe Roberts (Italtrans), Albert Arenas (Aspar) and the leader of the world ranking Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
The Top Ten of this FP1 was closed by Manuel Gonzalez, (VR46 Master Camp Team) Fermin Aldeguer (Speed Up), Romano Fenati (Speed Up) and Sean Dylan Kelly (America Racing). Eleventh place for Kevin Kubo (VR46 Master Camp Team) which was therefore also the last…
What will this FP2 have in store for us at Portimao, the deadline for a Portuguese Grand Prix which launches the major European campaign of the calendar? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.
| Moto2™ Portimão | 2021 | 2022 |
| FP1 | 1'43.667 Remy Gardner | 2'04.519 Zonta Van den Goorbergh |
| FP2 | 1'43.246 Raul Fernandez | 2'00.678 Marcel Schrötter |
| FP3 | 1'42.462 Raul Fernandez | |
| Q1 | 1'42.816 Fabio Di Giannantonio | |
| Q2 | 1'42.101 Raul Fernandez | |
| Warm Up | 1'42.958 Remy Gardner | |
| Course | Gardner, R. Fernandez, Lowes | |
| All time lap record | 1″42.101 Raul Fernandez 2021 |
It's 11° in the air and 12° on the track. The rain is increasing in intensity.
The light is green and the track is open 🚦
Barry Baltus braves the weather and ventures his way carefully onto a very soggy track! 🙌# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/oK4GmCAEbt
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
It is White who takes the lead with the best lap time in 2.07.842s. He is ahead Arbolino, Fenati, Vietti and Acosta.
Take a ride on a wet and slippery rollercoaster! 🤩
A great insight into how difficult it is to master a # Moto2 bike in these conditions 🔥#PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/qXjD818vYB
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
The Belgian improves further and sets a time of 2.06.207s. Roberts very strong in the rain takes the 2nd best time in 2.07.824s.
But that's without counting on fenati which dislodges him from 2nd position, achieving a time of 2.07.201s. Roberts responds to the Italian driver by signing the 2nd best time (2.06.161s)
kick of van den Goorbergh
Zonta van den Goorbergh tumbles at turn 8! 💥
Heart in the mouth moment for the Dutch rider but thankfully he quickly got to his feet! 🙌 # Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/TUjVMMZwS0
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
Roberts takes control in 2.04.283s.
White very lively in the wet takes the lead with his time achieved in 2.03.751s. Arenas made the effort and took the 2nd best time in 2.03.340s. 27 thousandths separate the 2 drivers.
The rain stopped falling.
White passes the 2.03 mark with a time of 2.02.373s
Big fallAcosta in turn 1. The driver gets up and does not appear injured.
That was a weird one for @37_pedroacosta! 😱
The 2021 # Moto3 champion lost the front on the brakes but despite this scare, he was quickly back on his feet! 🙌# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/LG9zcpGDmD
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
With 16 minutes to go, Baltus dominates ahead of Roberts, Arbolino, Arenas, Beaubier.
🔝 @Joerobertsracer not getting dug up by the weather! 🔥
The American has been quick all day and has smashed the fastest lap of Friday so far! 👊# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/b99ZOeQVin
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
White makes a mistake in turn 4. Arenas fell in turn in turn 13. Aldeguer also falls in turn 1
The rookies aren't having an easy time into turn 1! ⚠️@Aldeguer54 is the next victim on the brakes into the left-hander 💥# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/6zi9b0Oa0w
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
Fall ofBedroom and Schrotter.
There are 12 minutes left in this rainy session and Beaubier in turn takes the best time in 2.01.391s. Roberts, Lowes, Baltus and Schrotter bring up the rear of the top5
Living the American dream! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸@cameronbeaubier takes the lead of the session and immediately after @Joerobertsracer slots into 2nd behind his fellow countryman 🙌# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/PlMBytgdOj
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
kick of Roberts. And meanwhile Dixon takes control in 2.01.179s.
Schrotter took the best time in 2.00.678s. Dixon, Beaubier, Roberts and Lowes complete this top5. There are 3 minutes left before the finish.
Track conditions continue to improve as @MarcelSchrotter takes over at the top! 💪
With just under four minutes left how much will the times tumble? 👀 # Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/pZmnD9xuK6
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
Fernandez crash in turn 13.
End of session: Schrotter fastest ahead of Dixon, Beaubier, Roberts and Lowes.
Leaving it until the very end! 👊
A late lap puts @MarcelSchrotter into top spot at the end of the opening day! 🔥# Moto2 | #PortugueseGP 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/XlrrcB6BBd
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 22, 2022
Results of FP2 of the Moto2 Portuguese Grand Prix at the Algarve International Autodrome in Portimão:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
