Moto2 Qatar FP2: Sam Lowes only rider to break into 1:58

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 EMR Writer

Sam Lowes takes P1 in FP2 and is the only rider in the 1:58’s.

Sam Lowes throws down the gauntlet in Moto2 and is the only rider under the 1:59 lap barrier as he eyes the 1:58.136 lap record set by Joe Roberts in 2020, he still has 0.823 to go to the lap record but he has shown clearly that he has the pace to impress and prove a point to everyone that he is a serious title contender this year. The issue he may face is the man in P2 Marco Bezzecchi, ‘Bez’ was the fastest rider in this mornings session and is only 0.104 from Lowes this afternoon, there is no doubt that Bezzecchi will be the rider to push Lowes this year.

Lap record holder Joe Roberts took the third-place spot on the glossy blue Italtrans Moto2 machine which took the title with Enea Bastianini last year, Roberts has demonstrated previously that he has the pace to fight at the top in Qatar and holds the lap record around here, he is chasing his first race win this year and Qatar is his best shot at this win, he leads Xavi Vierge and Remy Gardner, the duo also looking to impress with Gardner winning the last race of the season in Portimao.

Bo Bendsneyder is once again proving why he deserved to stay in Moto2 in P6, the Dutchman riding for the SAG team with veteran Tom Luthi who finished the session in P13, Niccolo Bulega is another rider impressing this season riding in honour of Fausto Gresini. Raul Fernandez is an unbelievable prospect this year, the Moto2 rookie has adapted to the class incredibly quickly and the podium is not out of reach for him this year that’s for sure.

Jake Dixon is another rider who will be chasing his first podium, he nearly won his first race at Le Mans last year before a crash took him out of P1. He was also forced to miss the last three rounds of the 2020 season due to an injury that nearly ended his career, he comes into the class this year thirsty for champagne and finished in P9 ahead of Jorge Navarro in P10.

Another fast rookie is Tony Arbolino in P12, the Italian took P2 overall in the Moto3 class last year and is another rider who has adapted to the Kalex Moto2 machine very quickly. The Boscoscuro Aspar duo of Aron Canet and Albert Arenas appeared in the P14 and P21 with Moto2 rookie Yari Montella in P27 on the same chassis.

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