Izan Guevara achieved the best performance during the first free practice session of the Catalan Grand Prix, Moto3 category, ninth stage of the 2022 World Championship scheduled for the Montmelò circuit in Barcelona. The Aspar Team rider put his GasGas ahead of everyone with a time of 1:48.675, ahead of Daniel Holgado (KTM Red Bull Ajo) and our Dennis Foggia (Honda Leopard), respectively 0.195s and 0.287s.
James Masia with the second KTM from Red Bull Ajo Team is fourth, ahead of the Japanese Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda Leopard), Andrea Migno (Honda Snipers) and the leader of the world ranking, Sergio Garcia (GasGas Aspar). Carlos Tatay on the CFMoto of the PruestelGP team is eighth, followed by David munoz (KTM BOE) and Kaito Toba, who on the KTM of the CIP team closes the Top Ten.
What will this second Moto3 free practice session in Catalonia have in store for us? Before answering this question, here is the table which summarizes the facts known so far.
|
Catalunya-Barcelona Moto3™ |
2021 |
2022 |
| FP1 |
1'48.467 Sergio Garcia |
1'48.675 Izan Guevara |
| FP2 |
1'47.950 Gabriel Rodrigo |
1'48.979 Izan Guevara |
| FP3 |
1'47.761 Stefano Nepa |
|
| Q1 |
1'48.529 John McPhee |
|
| Q2 |
1'47.597 Gabriel Rodrigo |
|
| Warm Up |
1'48.839 John McPhee |
|
| Course |
Garcia, Alcoba, Öncü |
|
| All time lap record |
1'47.597 Gabriel Rodrigo 2021 |
29° in the air and 54° on the track and not the slightest wind are the conditions offered to the pilots for the 40 minutes of exercise.
Lunch break over, it's time for the afternoon sessions! 😎
The sun is still shining as we're ready for # Moto3 FP2! 🔜#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/77Eub1cLAt
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
Between FP1 and this FP2, we lost a driver…
Unfortunately, we're one rider down in FP2 😢
Get well soon, Diogo! 🤞# Moto3 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/6PZDG41lzs
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
The first reference goes to Guevara in 1'50.101. The GAGAS driver therefore continues his domination seen during FP1. Suzuki fall at turn 5. holgado, Foggia, Tatay et farmhouse complete the first provisional top 5.
Turn 5, it's caught out many and will catch out many more! 💥@TatsukiSuzuki24 falls victim to the downhill and off-camber braking zone! ⚠️# Moto3 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/xh4HRYcAJa
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
Halfway through the session, the times change little except one Foggia which is positioned second in Guevara. The vast majority of the field returns to the box to change tires.
Times are quite far off the mark so far this afternoon! 💨
As we see so often in Barcelona, lap times are slower in the afternoon heat! 🔄# Moto3 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/b76P8U8hGE
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
With these new bullets, Foggia achieves a 1'49.998 which gives control of the session. Lorenzo Fellon is 13th and therefore potentially in Q2. At the start of the last quarter of an hour, Guevara counter-attack in 1'49.220. This is more than seven tenths ahead of the 2021 world vice-champion in the colors of Leopard.
👊 @IzanGuevara28 is the first to come close to FP1 lap times!
This lap takes him 7 tenths faster than anyone in this session! 👏# Moto3 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/He989Q8adk
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
Guevara drives the point home with a 1'48.979 which puts him one second faster than his runner-up. Almost never seen in Moto3 on a dry track... The surprise comes from third place, held by Bertele. Tatay ensures the presence of CFMoto in the top 5. The last five minutes have begun…
Under the checkered flag, Guevara keeps the advantage of this FP2 and of the day thanks to his FP1. Foggia, Suzuki, Yamanaka et Tuff complete the top 5. The championship leader Garcia follows, in front Oncu. Fellon is 15th and for the moment in Q1…
A handful of last lap improvements but nobody could better this man! ⚔️@IzanGuevara28's FP1 lap time gives him Friday top honors! 👏# Moto3 | #CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/klKklfcESa
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) June 3, 2022
Moto3 Catalonia FP2: times
Credit classification motogp.com