Raul and Augusto Fernandez locked out the Moto2 standings as Saturday morning’s final practice concluded at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
The KTM Ajo and Elf Marc VDS success continuing as Remy Gardner and Sam Lowes completed the top four ahead of the afternoon’s qualifying battle. Petronas SRT’s Jake Dixon unlucky to crash out in the final minutes, with Brit relegated to 15th at the flag.
Sam Lowes took charge as the final Moto2 practice, and the first in the dry, began in Italy. Xavi Vierge circulated second from Hector Garzo and Marco Bezzecchi with Stefano Manzi and Friday’s fastest man, Tom Luthi in the top six.
Manzi was up to second as the session continued, as Remy Gardner joined the fun in fifth. Raul Fernandez finally making his presence felt in the top two as the first 15 minutes concluded with his namesake following in sixth.
American Racing’s Cameron Beaubier continued his Misano education from 25th, the rookie looking to be joined by fellow countryman Sean Dylan Kelly in the team from 2022.
The KTM’s continued their charge on the standings from third and fourth at the halfway stage, Bezzecchi bettering the pair in second as Lowes remained out front on 1’37.295 pace.
Fernandez appeared to be dealing with his hand injury well as the practice counted down, the KTM rookie raising the stakes with a 1’37.012 on his first dry session on Moto2 machinery at the Misano venue.
Albert Arenas slid out at turn 14 with four minutes left to run, with Jake Dixon suffering a similar fate with two minutes to go. The Petronas rider clinging on to the Q2 zone in 14th until the dying seconds before he was ultimately sent into Q1 at the close of play.
A Fernandez double sealed the session ahead of their respective teammates Gardner and Lowes, Marcel Schrotter completing the top five ahead of Vierge, Bezzecchi and Manzi. Aron Canet and Fabio di Giannantonio completed the top 10 with Jorge Navarro, Ai Ogura, Somkiat Chantra and Nicolò Bulega collecting the final direct promotion spots.
