QATAR
MOTOGP TEST REPORT
P78
cords tumbled, and Axel Pons
emerged as a surprise overall
leader.
The son of 250 double
champion Sito was at the
head of a gang of 12 Kalex rid-
ers, the first non-Kalex chas-
sis was Simone Corsi's official
Speed Up in 13th, more than
1.2 seconds away.
Even further down, 14th
fastest and 1.2 seconds off
the pace, Johann Zarco. The
Ajo team rider has stayed
on, trying to become the first
Moto2 champion to defend
his title successfully. The
Frenchman was typically
unflustered, and pronounced
himself satisfied with testing
progress.
Pons was fast throughout,
and his day-two one-lap flyer
of 1:41.730 put him 0.345
ahead of the pack. Margins
from then were much smaller.
Ex-Speed Up rider Sam
Lowes was at the head, and
the dew settled an hour or so
before close-down.
MOTO2/MOTO3
Fine early spring conditions
greeted the smaller classes as
they met for the first time in official
group tests, where Moto2 re-
(Right) Aprilia and Alvaro
Bautista are struggling with a
new, unproven machine.
(Below) Redding's switch to
Ducati has been a revelation for
the young Brit.
