Moto 2: Raul Fernandez Tops Drying Free Practice Three
By Jack Hammersley
With Free Practice Three being impacted by wet weather, the riders lap times from Free Practice Two determined their positions for qualifying
Sam Lowes was the fastest in the dry conditions, topping the combined standings in Free Practice Two and also looks strong in the wet conditions so he is one of the favourites heading into qualifying. His team-mate Augusto Fernandez has rekindled some form, being inside the top three in both dry and wet conditions, so Augusto could be a dark horse for qualifying and the race.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Raul Fernandez is also looking strong in all conditions finishing in second position in Free Practice Two and topping Free Practice Three so the rookie could do be one for pole position and the win this weekend. Championship leader Remy Gardner was strong in Free Practice Two finishing in fourth position, but was down in 19th place in Free Practice Three so signs are showing Remy will be hoping for dry conditions for the rest of the weekend.
Both Federal Oil Gresini riders have shown great pace during the dry conditions in Free Practice Two, with Nicolo Bulega finishing the combined standings in fifth position with his team-mate and previous race winner Fabio Di Giannantonio finishing in eighth. However, in the dry conditions they were slower in the damp conditions so they’ll be also hoping for a dry qualifying and race.
SKY Racing VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi has been consistent during all sessions and conditions and Marco is always a man to look out for as he looks to take his first win of the season. His team-mate Celestino Vietti has struggled with the dynamic weather as he’s down in 26th position and will be looking to make big improvements through the session.
Italtrans Racing’s Joe Roberts has had a nightmare start to the weekend being down in 28th position at the circuit where he took pole position last year. He’ll be looking to get through the Q2 and try to find the lap time at the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit.
Petronas Sprinta Racing’s Jake Dixon struggled in both Friday Free Practice sessions ending the day in 25th position, but in Free Practice Three he was able to finish in sixth place so Jake showing his strength in the wet and drying conditions which he had last season, Jake will be looking to go through to Q2 and use the data from Q1 to his advantage.
Qualifying One and Two will take place at 15:10 and 15:35 (GMT+2), who will take pole position?
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