KTM Ajo rider Raul Fernandez continued his dominant run at the top of the Moto2 times at Valencia on Saturday.
Fernandez’ 1’35.212 lap headed the standings, nine places higher than his title rival Remy Gardner with Xavi Vierge, Augusto Fernandez and Sam Lowes locking out the top four.
Tony Arbolino started his Saturday in the gravel after an early turn four crash, Marcos Ramirez taking charge of the times as the first laps registered.
Tetsuta Nagashima and Marco Bezzecchi headed Ramirez as the session developed, the trio all improving on their Friday times to sit top overall with 1’35.706 now the benchmark. The American Racing rider continued to climb as he returned to the top, Augusto Fernandez rising to third, with Vierge and Lowes rounding out the top five. The Brit seemingly able to push despite his FP1 injury.
Hafizh Syahrin was the second to succumb to the Valencia circuit n the opening stages as the NTS rider crashed out, from 21st, in the final sector. Newly-announced Aspar rider Jake Dixon alongside in 20th, after his best lap was cancelled due to yellow flags, and circulating just six-tenths off the target time.
Fabio Di Giannantonio struck after 10 minutes on track, claiming second before Raul Fernandez arrived to steal the position. Lowes was the next to deny the Italian as he joined the party in third with the front runners all pushing for more next time around.
Ramirez’s progress was dented by a turn four crash at the halfway stage, despite remaining fastest overall. Fernandez and Lowes consolidating their top three positions as they refined their 1’35.6 pace with the second Marc VDS joining them, in fourth - just half a tenth off the top.
Augusto was on a charge, however, as the final 15 minutes began, advancing the pace to take the lead before improving again with a 1’35.291 on lap 17.
Xavi Vierge sat second as the final 10 minutes unfolded, despite an on track argument with Joe Roberts. The American struggling down in 27th after his recent shoulder surgery.
The Sky VR46 dup of Bezzecchi and Celestino Vietti rose to fourth and sixth respectively as Vierge hit the top with seven to go. Raul Fernandez and Di Giannantonio both improved back into the top four as the final runs fired up. Albert Arenas and Somkiat Chantra sitting precariously on the edge of the promotion zone.
The final five minutes saw Fernandez back at the front on the KTM while his Ajo teammate claimed 13th. Fermín Aldeguer taking the final Q2 spot ahead of the late-session shuffle.
Gardner improved to ninth as Lowes did likewise to fourth. The Brit now sitting neatly alongside his Marc VDS teammate with two to go.
Fernandez headed the final practice from Vierge and the Marc VDS duo with Di Giannantonio heading Marcel Schrotter, Bezzecchi, Ramirez and Vietti. Gardner completed the morning 10th with Jorge Navarro, Cameron Beaubier, Nagashima and Aron Canet completing the Q2 promotees. Roberts narrowly missing out by a mere half a tenth on his final lap with Dixon down in 22nd.
