Moto2 Qatar P1: Fermin Aldeguer swamps the competition

Before arriving at Losail for this Qatar Grand Prix, there was a Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend which sealed the outcome of the title race in Sepang for the benefit of Pedro Acosta. However, the latter had to suffer another defeat against Fermin Aldeguer who, after obtaining pole position for this 18th stage of the season, won the race. For the SpeedUp rider, this is the third victory in the Moto2 category, but the protagonist of the day was still Pedro Acosta, who became world champion.

This is the second title in three years for Team Red Bull driver Ajo, who will be in MotoGP next year at the wheel of the RC16 of Team GASGAS. We also remember that in 2020, the rider from Mazarrón, born in 2004, won the Rookies Cup and Acosta and also set the record for the youngest winner of the Moto2 World Championship.

With this coronation, Acosta joins on the shelves of the crowned in the intermediate class Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Esteve Rabat, Johann zarco, Franco Morbidelli, Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Simoncelli and Dani Pedrosa, among others.

Tony Arbolino, which could have delayed the deadline was not varnished in the race. After an excellent start, he lost numerous positions immediately after the start to avoid Manuel Gonzalez, who crashed after contact with Aldeguer at the first corner. Subsequently, Arbolino crashed, falling to 24th position, before getting back on the bike and moving up to tenth position.

Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) took third place on the podium, ahead of Ai Ogura (Team Asia), Jake dixon (Aspar) and Somkiat Chantra (Team Asia). Also in the Top Ten are Sam Lowes, Joe Roberts, Albert Arenas et Tony Arbolino.

But here we are now at Qatar, for a test where Fermin Aldeguer will be the object of the rumor since it is said likely to join the Ducati VR46 next year, provided that Luca Marini abandons him in favor of pilot status Repsol Honda. What will this start of the penultimate round of the season have in store for us at Losail? Before you know it, here is the table that summarizes the facts known so far.

Qatar Moto2™	2022	2023
P1	2'00.290 Augusto Fernández	2'01.097 Fermin Aldeguer
P2	1'59.112 Augusto Fernández
P3	1'59.594 Sam Lowes
Q1	1'59.371 Albert Arenas
Q2	1'59.082 Celestino Vietti
Warm up	1'59.711 Augusto Fernández	XXXXX
Course	Vietti, Canet, Lowes (See here)
All time lap record	1'58.136 Joe Roberts (2020)

Darryn Binder suffered some injuries but no fractures when he crashed in training at Sepang last weekend. He was declared fit by doctors on Thursday. But it remains to be seen how he feels on the bike and how intense the pain is. There are also no wild cards in the Moto2 class. And then, Pedro Acosta took risks well before the start of the competition in Qatar…

Here we go …

The first reference goes to Manuel Gonzalez in 2'03.778 ahead of the other man of the moment in Moto2 since winner of the last two Grands Prix and in contact to enter MotoGP at VR46 Ducati, Fermin Aldeguer.

Aldeguer passes in 2'03.311 after the first quarter of an hour. White, third is almost two seconds behind the leading duo… This is the case forAcosta, the fresh World Champion, fourth. The places in Q2 will probably also be allocated in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories by the coolness of the evening if no better time is possible tomorrow at midday.

Little scare for Aron canet then ranked sixth…

A quarter of an hour from the goal, Aldeguer accelerates in 2'02.715. Arbolino is twelfth at 2s8. The differences remain surprisingly significant, notably with Aldeguer who takes a second for his closest pursuer, Gonzalez.

The debates come alive in the last five minutes. Aldeguer raises the bar to 2'03.365, followed by Gonzalez andAcosta. Then Gonzalez passes in 2'01.518. Under the checkered flag, Aldeguer takes over in 2'01.286, ahead Gonzalez et Acosta and Dixon, Escrig close the top 5 Foggia.  Arbolino is only 23th.

Results of Practice-1 of the Qatar Moto2 Grand Prix on the Losail/Lusail circuit:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com