#QatarGP | Roberts Blazes Ahead on Day 1.
Joe Roberts impressed on the opening day of the 2020 Moto2 World Championship, setting a new all time lap record , closely followed by Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini. This afternoon’s session was hot and dry, whilst this evening saw a decrease in track temperature and some faster lap times.
American Racing’s Joe Roberts topped the time sheets and set a new all-time lap record with a time of 1’58.421. SKY Racing Team VR46’s duo Bezzecchi and Marini placed 2nd and 3rd respectively setting times of 1’58.669 (Bezzecchi) and 1’58.759 (Marini).
Nagashima placed 4th with a time of 1’58.921, while improving throughout the FP1 and FP2 sessions. Vierge, who made the switch to the Petronas Sprinta Team, finished day 1 in 5th position, having set a time of 1’59.059. Fernandez, who, upon the news of A. Marquez signing for Repsol Honda, was signed to Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Moto2, set a time of 1’59.074, which placed him 6th, despite a crash during the FP2 session.
Bendsneyder placed 7th, having set a fastest lap of 1’59.089. Bastianini, who impressed last season, set a fastest lap of 1’59.114, placing him 8th. Previous Moto2 top-10 finisher, Bulega, placed 9th, after setting a fastest lap time of 1’59.136.
2018 Moto3 World Champion Martin, found himself in 10th, setting a time of 1’59.148. The most successful rider on the Moto2 grid, with 17 wins to his name, Luthi placed 11th, however he did not improve on his FP1 time, 1’59.168. Luthi suffered 2 crashes during the FP2 session. Navarro, who impressed throughout the 2019 Moto2 season, placed 12th, setting a time of 1’59.189.
Schrotter set a fastest lap of 1’59.198, which places him 13th ahead of tomorrow’s FP3 and qualifying sessions. Moto2 rookie, and 2019 Moto3 runner up, Canet placed 14th with a time of 1’59.215.
After tomorrow’s FP3 session the fastest 14 riders will advance directly to Q2, whilst the remainder of the field will compete through Q1 for a spot in Q2.
