David Muñoz topped the timesheets in the Moto2 Practice session, giving a huge advantage for his team’s home race. Congestion and traffic plagued riders throughout the session, as they all sought to do their best in the dry conditions and advance to Q2. We’ve highlighted the key moments of the session to get you ready for Saturday.
Starting Dry
Crucially, the afternoon was dry with similar conditions to this morning’s FP1 session. With the rain kept at bay, it was vitally important to set times immediately to advance straight into Q2 tomorrow. Despite the red flag conditions from the previous Northern Talent Cup, the session got started on time, and the riders took to the track for their thirty-five minutes.
Sector 1 Victims
With intense brake speeds coming down the main straight, it doesn’t take much for the best of riders to become unstuck at Turn 1. Cormac Buchanan sent sparks flying as he came off, before getting back on and taking the bike to the pit. David Almansa almost lost his grip in Turn 3, but skillfully saved the corner. Muñoz ran off into the gravel in the final minute of the session.
Frustrations in Finding Space and Pace
The Sachsenring is a tight and winding track at the best of times, let alone trying to set fast lap times in congested traffic. Unfortunately, Álvaro Carpe got caught up in it and vented his frustrations against Dennis Foggia. They continued to find each other on the track throughout the session. Muñoz also showed annoyance at Joel Kelso when the Australian pulled up short as Muñoz was following close behind. Scott Ogden almost came into contact with Muñoz as the Spanish rider cut him off at the pit exit.
Furusato Leads at the Halfway Mark
Taiyo Furusato got in early to set a lap time of 1:25.471. Once he found himself in the top spot, he made his way back into the pit and waited for everyone else on the grid to return. Our leaders from the earlier session found themselves lower on the timesheet, but still inside the fourteen that will advance into tomorrow’s Q2 session.
Making Lap Times Count
In the final minutes of the Practice session, the riders gave it their all to fight for the advancing spots. Ryusei Yamanaka looked strong but couldn’t compete with the Spanish riders on track. The timing sheet struggled to keep up as lap after lap was faster than the previous one. It looked like disaster would strike again when the yellow flags came out, but they were quickly put back in. Unfortunately for Carpe, it impacted his lap when he desperately needed a good one to put him back up the board.
Q2 Advancers
Heavy rain is forecast overnight and into tomorrow’s sessions, meaning that it may have been the last real dry run for the weekend in Moto3. For those that find themselves having to slog it out in Q1 tomorrow, it will be even harder than usual to set times in the wet.