IN
THE
WIND
P44
Jerez Moto2/Moto3 Tests Wrap Up
A
howl of Triumph
Triple exhausts
brought the first Moto2
tests of the year to
a tense climax, with
ultra-close times and
riders' reports of more
flexibility of corner line
promising as close
racing as ever, with
potentially more variety
than the Honda-pow-
ered Moto2 machines
they replace.
But it was the ex-
pected names at the
top, with ex-Moto3
Champion Brad Binder
seizing narrow control
on the third day, his
Red Bull KTM just
0.007 of a second faster than
revived former title challenger
Sam Lowes's Gresini Kalex.
American Racing's Iker Lecu-
ona (KTM) was whisker-close in
third, ahead of 2018 race winner
Luca Marini SKY VR46 Kalex.
More title contenders were
ultra-close, with Lorenzo Baldas-
sarri (Pons Kalex) and day two
leader Alex Marquez (VDS Kalex)
in the next two spots.
But it was class rookie Nicolo
Bulega an impressive seventh-
fastest, on the second SKY
VR46 Kalex; with Jorge Navarro
(Speed Up), Remy Gardner
(SAG Kalex) and another rookie,
Moto3 Champion Jorge Martin
(Red Bull KTM) rounding out the
top 10.
Joe Roberts (American Rac-
ing), the only US rider in any
class, was 18th, speaking highly
after his switch to KTM and just
0.724 of a second down.
There were 20 riders within
the first second, with the last of
them Dominique Aegerter on the
all-new MV Agusta.
KTM held the high ground in
a more widely spaced Moto3
pack, with most of the best times
coming on Friday morning, the
third day, and Jaume Masia and
Bester Capital KTM teammate
Andrea Migno first and third,
sandwiching returned Moto2 bad
boy Romano Fenati's Snipers
Honda.
Masia's margin was large,
however, almost seven-tenths
clear; and only the top eight
were within a second.
Day-two leader Aron Canet,
switched from Honda to Steril-
garda KTM, was fourth, less than
a tenth clear of Albert Arenas
(Angel Nieto KTM); and then the
day one pacesetter Tony Arbo-
lino (Snipers Honda).
Michael Scott
Brad Binder came away as the
quickest Moto2 rider at the Jerez
test for Moto2 and Moto3.
PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE
