Press Release | March 16, 2018
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results
Moto2
Spain’s Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) started his season in perfect form by ending Day 1 in Qatar on top of the timesheets. He was just 0.038 in front of the returning Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors) and 0.053 ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46), with both riders having positive starts to their weekend as they seek to mount a title challenge this season.
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results
Following a tricky campaign last season for both Marcel Schrötter and Dynavolt Intact GP, 2018 has started far better for both parties as the German concluded the day fourth quickest, with the fastest man in Free Practice 1, Lorenzo Baldassari (Pons HP40), close behind to complete the top five.
As with Moto3™, the times in the intermediate class came tumbling down as the track temperatures dropped during the second session, highlighting the unique characteristics of the Losail International Circuit.
Speaking of Moto3™, reigning World Champion and rookie, Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) managed 13th and was less than one-hundredth clear of another champion of the lightweight class, Danny Kent (Beta Tools – Speed Up Racing).
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results
Elsewhere, America’s Joe Roberts and South Africa’s Steven Odendaal (NTS RW Racing GP) enjoyed a positive start to life with their new NTS chassis in the intermediate class, as they placed 22nd and 26th respectively. Whilst on the other side of the coin, it was a difficult start to the season for 2017 sensation Mattia Pasini after the Italian failed to improve on his time set in the morning and was classified just 24th.
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results
Moto3
Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) started his season in much the same way as he finished in 2017: on top. The Spaniard’s Friday at the Losail International Circuit saw him breaking the Moto3™ lap record in the second Free Practice session after setting a 2:05.590. He was over six-tenths in front of a rejuvenated Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who is looking much more at home on-board the Italian team’s Honda and was in-turn just over a tenth clear of fellow countryman Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing).
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results
The weather was bright and sunny for the opening Free Practice session before the sun set towards the end of FP2, with the lower track temperatures aiding lap times as we saw vast improvements from most riders.
Argentina’s Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider) performed promisingly, finishing fourth on the combined standings on his KTM. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) and Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team) completed the Top 6 meanwhile and just behind them was Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers), with the Italian on top form with his new team.
Unfortunately, it was a short weekend in Doha for Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) with the Japanese rider crashing in FP1 and fracturing his right forearm. He has been declared unfit for the remainder of the weekend.
The fastest rookie was Spaniard Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) as he concluded the day in P21. Other riders who make their full-time debuts this year include Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) who was P23, Makar Yurchenko (CIP – Green Power) in P24, Kazuki Masaki (RBA BOE Skull Rider) in P26, and Dennis Foggia (SKY Racing Team VR46) who was bottom of the timesheets in P28.
2018 Qatar Moto2 and Moto3 Friday Results