Moto2 Qatar FP2: Red Bull KTM Ajo go 1-2 with Fernandez leading Acosta

March 4, 2022 EMR Writer

2021 repeats itself, a strong rookie and an experienced rider leading the way in Moto2 for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Red Bull KTM Ajo know how to breed champions that is evident, this year they have a brand new rider lineup for Moto2 and continue to dominate with Augusto Fernandez leading the way over his rookie teammate Pedro Acosta who comes into the class fresh off a rookie Moto3 World Championship.

The FP2 session saw a lot more crashes with riders trying their best to improve their lap times with Jake Dixon suffering a fast crash in T1 with 4 minutes left on the clock, completely ruining his chances of leading the session and placing him in P10 overall.

Marcel Schrotter was the third-fastest rider behind the KTM duo only 0.004 seconds behind Acosta proving how finite and small the margins are in the intermediate class, the top spots of the class are split by milliseconds and it takes a lot of work to try and lead the way in a session.

Fourth place went to Celestino Vietti who has been pipped by many as their favourite for the Moto2 World Championship winner, the young Italian looks incredibly strong and fast early on into this race weekend and could fight for his maiden podium come Sunday, he led Aron Canet who has made the switch to the preferred Kalex Chassis with the aim of putting the Pons team back to the front of the grid.

Sandwiched between Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra in P6 and P8 respectively was Moto2 rookie Filip Salac who has wasted absolutely no time getting to grips with the Moto2 bike, his size hindered him a lot in the Moto3 class and this move is where he is going to excel, proving this already with a provisional Q2 spot.

Rounding out the top 10 were Cameron Beaubier and Jake Dixon, the American rider also making a step forwards with a year under his belt, this is the opposite for the Marc VDS squad who once again are outside the top 10 in P11 and P12.

Worth noting rookie Manuel Gonzalez rounds out the provisional Q2 spots in P14 ahead of Fermin Aldeguer, a strong showing from both riders.

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