Remy Gardner broke the Red Bull Ring Moto2 record with a 1’28.153 lap during this morning’s FP3, denying his KTM Ajo team-mate Raul Fernandez in the process.

The rookie had himself set an all-time lap record at the Spielberg track before his Australian counterpart stole the glory with a dominating effort of his own. Sam Lowes completed the final practice in sixth with Jake Dixon facing the Q1 battle from 18th.

Remy Gardner led the way with his KTM teammate firmly in tow as FP3 got underway at their team’s home track. The Australian setting a 1’28.694 on his fourth lap around the Red Bull Ring as the times tumbled from Friday’s efforts.

Marcel Schrotter disposed Raul Fernandez for second with his fifth attempt as Sam Lowes sat fourth just 0.075s away from his Antipodean rival. Augusto Fernandez joined the fight with his sixth lap, claiming fourth from his Marc VDS teammate as Marco Bezzecchi dropped the Brit further on his way to fifth.

Somkiat Chantra, Marcos Ramirez and Lorenzo Dalla Porta heading the Petronas pairing of Xavi Vierge and Jake Dixon, as Bezzecchi rose to head the standings with 15-minutes done.

Contact for Fernandez and Aron Canet at turn nine saw the Elf rider narrowly avoid the Aspar man as Canet slowed to enter pitlane, The Italian himself lucky to avoid Cameron Beaubier minutes later as the American went down.

A close call for Bezzecchi saw the Italian save a moment at turn three, as Ai Ogura found his rhythm in fourth. Dixon sitting on the edge of promotion with seven minutes remaining, just half a second from the leading time. Bo Bendsneyder, Stefano Manzi and Jorge Navarro all striking to shuffle the times and disappoint the Brit.

Raul Fernandez was on a charge as he headed the standings with a 1’28.545 from Bezzecchi and his namesake, with Lowes holding tight in fourth. Gardner circling in fifth with five minutes left to play from Canet, Schrotter, Ogura, Navarra and Dalla Porta while Celestino Vietti, Tom Luthi, Chantra and Ramirez held on to promotion as the clock counted down.

It was a KTM battle as the session neared conclusion as first Fernandez then Gardner set record-breaking pace. The rookie securing a 1’28.466 before the Australian denied him by over three-tenths, 1’28.153 now the time to beat.

With the flag finally flying, there was no change at the top, Augusto Fernandez consolidating his third place finish with a 1’28.5, as Ogura improved to take fourth from Bezzecchi and Lowes. Canet finished practice seventh from Schrotter and Navarro with Dalla Porta completed the top-10, the remaining Q2 places also remaining unchanged.

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