It is the Austrian lands which are hosting the 5th race of the Moto2 season this weekend. Since Friday it was Sam Lowes who shone during the 3 free sessions, but he was however dethroned during qualifying by the unexpected Remy Gardner. The Australian also had the luxury of setting the new track record held since last year by Tetsuta Nagashima. Nevertheless, we can count on the enthusiasm and good form of the British rider to fight hard and win his first victory of the season.
He will have in front of him a solid Enea Bastianini, leader of the world championship, who achieved a flawless performance in Brno and Jerez 2. The Italian will start from 4th position on the starting grid. THE Canet, Martin et Schrotter could also come and invite themselves to this “fight party”, just to offer us a great show.
For now, a reminder of the facts...
| Moto2™ Austria 1 | 2019 | 2020 |
| FP1 |
1'29.264 Augusto Fernandez |
1'29.133 Sam Lowes |
| FP2 |
1'29.029 Brad Binder |
1'28.985 Sam Lowes |
| FP3 |
1'28.811 Mattia Pasini |
1'28.877 Sam Lowes |
| Q1 |
1'29.139 Iker Lecuona |
1'28.944 Marcel Schrotter |
| Q2 |
1'28.718 Tetsuta Nagashima |
1'28.681 Remy Gardner |
| Warm-up |
1'35.760 Philipp Oëttl |
1'28.966 Jorge Martin |
| Course | Binder, Marquez, Navarro (see here) | |
| All time lap record |
1'28.718 Tetsuta Nagashima 2019 |
1'28.681 Remy Gardner |
It's 20° in the air and 27,1° on the track. The sky is slightly cloudy but still lets the sun's rays through.
Rise and shine # Moto2! 😎
Intermediate class on track for warm-up! 🚦#AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/EqjLEpRyy4
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2020
They left for 20 minutes…
It is Martin who came to position himself in 1st place by setting the reference time for this session in 1.30.338s. Gardner reattributes this time to 1.29.764s but it is taken up by Martin in 1.29.717s. Alternately, Luthi then Bezzecchi still gains a few hundredths on this time but it's Bezzecchi who placed himself at the top of the basket by achieving a lap time of 1.29.357s. Martin for 2 thousandths in turn takes the best time in 1.29.357s. The first 4 follow each other in 34 thousandths.
8 minutes from the end of the session, Bezzecchi pushes again and regains his position in 1.29.154s in front Martin, Gardner, Navarro et Lowes
👀 @SamLowes_22 is one of the favorites for the race later!
Currently P4 in the session! 💪# Moto2 | #AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/BtdZ8ofbEF
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2020
Marini is 7th, he runs in 1.29.352s. Lowes goes on the offensive and takes the best time in 1.29.069s. Luthi responds to him and in turn appropriates the precious cesam by 1.28984s. Martin also passes the 1.29 mark, setting a lap time of 1.28.992s. The first 7 are less than 2 tenths away.
The top 5 is as follows 3 minutes from the end of the session: Luthi, Martin, Bezzecchi, Lowes and Marini. Gardner, Fernandez, Navarro, Manzi and Bastianini bring up the rear of the top10.
End of session and it's Martin who achieved the best time of the session (1.28.966s) ahead of Luthi, Lowes, Bezzecchi and Marini.
A final fast lap sees @ 88jorgemartin take top spot in # Moto2 warm-up! 🔝@ThomasLUTHI and @SamLowes_22 round out the top 3! 💪#AustrianGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/XsXRIphrTz
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) August 16, 2020
Full results:
