Fermin Aldeguer enjoyed a confidence boosting start to Round 3 of the Moto2 Grand Prix of The Americas after setting a new lap record at COTA to comfortably head the Friday timesheets.

The Spaniard, who is already signed to graduate to the MotoGP grid in 2025 with Pramac Ducati, has endured a trying start to the new season aboard the Speed Up Boscoscuro, but began his weekend in style with a rapid turn around the Austin circuit in P1.

Stopping the clock with a 2m 08.359secs effort, it places him more than three tenths clear of closest rival Sergio Garcia, the MT Helmets-MSI rider - a podium winner in Qatar - again showing strongly in second place.

In third place, Dennis Foggia emerged as Friday's standout performer on the Italtrans Kalex, the Italian - whose best Moto2 result is a mere ninth place finish at the 2023 Valencia Moto2 finale - ending Practice 1 four tenths adrift of the top spot.

Marcos Ramirez flew the flag for home favourites American Racing in fourth position, edging out Jake Dixon, whose return to action on the CFMoto Aspar Team bike would see him back inside the top five.

Qatar Moto2 star Barry Baltus ended his day as the leading RW Racing bike in sixth, ahead of Celestino Vietti on the top Red Bull KTM Ajo entry and Alonso Lopez on the second of the Speed Up Boscoscuros.

The pace setter in the opening Free Practice session, Ai Ogura wound up in ninth place by the end of the day, ahead of Portuguese Moto2 winner Aron Canet in tenth.

🇺🇸 ⏱️ 2024 Grand Prix of The Americas Moto2, COTA | Practice 1 Results

Friday | Conditions - Dry, Sunny