The Spanish track, with its 5.1 km and mix of fast corners, technical hairpins and the very long straight, rewards fluidity of driving and stability under braking. The day’s high temperatures added an extra level of difficulty.
Manuel Gonzalez of Team Intact GP rewrote history at Aragon’s Moto2 practice session, obliterating the circuit record with a blistering 1’50.548 lap. The Colombian sensation – still buzzing from becoming his nation’s first Moto2 podium finisher at Silverstone – shrugged off intense media pressure to outpace Brazilian revelation Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing) by 0.205s, while FP1 leader Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) settled for third, 0.291s adrift.
Top Ten Drama and Surprises
Gonzalez’s record-shattering run headlined a session packed with narratives. Diogo Moreira stunned with a meteoric rise from 18th in FP1 to second, proving the Boscoscuro’s raw potential. Deniz Öncü maintained elite form in third despite losing the top spot. American veteran Joe Roberts delivered the feel-good story, surging to fourth for OnlyFans American Racing after a season of struggles. Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) and Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW Racing GP) completed the top six, the latter leaping fourteen positions from morning practice. Jake Dixon claimed seventh as the highest-placed Boscoscuro rider, while Senna Agius (Intact GP), rookie Daniel Holgado (Aspar), and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) rounded out the top ten.
Q2 Contenders and Setbacks
Direct Q2 qualification went to Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), Albert Arenas (Gresini), and reigning Moto3 champion David Alonso (Aspar) – who survived two crashes without injury but slumped to 13th. Daniel Muñoz, substituting for injured Collin Veijer at Red Bull KTM Ajo, also advanced. The session proved less kind to Celestino Vietti (15th, Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Tony Arbolino (19th, Pramac Racing), both struggling for pace. Adrian Huertas battled inflammation with ice and anti-inflammatories despite slightly cooler, cloud-covered conditions.
Technical Revolution and Riding Nuances
A critical clutch evolution emerged as teams transitioned from Japanese SCC to Italian STM units. The anti-hopping mechanism lets riders restart after crashes instantly, something impossible last year. This innovation saved multiple riders from session-ending incidents. Meanwhile, Gonzalez’s precision stood out: he avoided excessive curb usage, carving tighter exits than rivals. His Kalex exploited the Boscoscuro’s notorious rear-grip advantage, a double-edged sword some riders criticized: The tire pushes so hard it compromises cornering lines.
Penalty Pitfall and Qualifying Outlook
Aragon’s long-lap penalty zone remains a psychological minefield despite being faster here than elsewhere. As Gonzalez carries record-breaking momentum into qualifying, Moreira’s late-session surge and Öncü’s consistency set the stage for a pole-position thriller. Dark horses Roberts and van den Goorbergh loom as potential disruptors, while all eyes watch whether Alonso can translate his raw speed into a clean qualifying run after his crash-marred practice.