Pedro Acosta was the man to hit the ground running as the Austrian Moto2 round got underway in Spielberg, the new series leader edging out Somkiat Chantra for the top spot.

Fresh from assuming the lead of the 2023 Moto2 standings at the expense of Tony Arbolino at Silverstone, Acosta was the man to beat among the Austrian hills as he overhauled and held off P1 pace setter Chantra by just over a tenth of a second.

A strong return to form for the Thai rider, who has struggled to break into the podium ranks this season, Chantra led IDEMITSU Honda Asia team-mate Ai Ogura by a further +0.2s as they led the chase to Acosta.

>>> 2023 Moto2 World Championship standings <<<

Back on track after his disappointing lap one exit from the British Moto2 - and subsequent outburst aimed at Darryn Binder - Jake Dixon put himself in contention with the fourth best time, ahead erstwhile points' leader Arbolino on the best of the Marc VDS bikes.

Completing a top ten within a second of Acosta up top, was Celestino Vietti, Filip Salac, Aron Canet, British Moto2 winner Fermin Aldeguer and Alonso Lopez.

Elsewhere, Sam Lowes ended his day just inside the provisional Q2 positions in 14th, marginally behind Izan Guevara, the 2022 Moto3 World Champion enjoying his strongest start of a Moto2 race weekend.

Meanwhile, Rory Skinner - who made a Moto2 wild-card appearance in Austria last season - is poised just outside the top twenty in 21st

Austrian Moto2, Spielberg | Friday Practice Results [FP1+FP2]

Friday | Conditions - Dry, Sunny