MotoGP Argentina: Aldeguer maintains Moto2 dominance in FP2

Fermin Aldeguer continued his dominant run in Argentina as he topped both Moto2 practice sessions on Saturday.

The MB Conveyors Speed Up rider claimed FP2 with a 1’43.502 lap, just over a tenth shy of his overall best from the morning’s opener.

KTM’s Augusto Fernandez and Aspar’s Jake Dixon completed the top three for second practice while the Spaniard’s earlier effort sat him second overall from Honda’s Somkiat Chantra.

The final action ahead of qualifying saw Ai Ogura lead the opening FP2 times with a 1’43.698 in another extended 50-minute session. The lap placing him on the fringes of the top ten and in Q2 contention as the only rider to improve on his opening performance in the first ten minutes.

Morning champion Aldeguer sat second from Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino as the session unfolded, with the Speed Up advancing closer to his FP1 target after six laps. His early rival Fernandez climbed to second two laps later as Chantra’s hot lap ended early after a high speed crash through turn six.

Dixon was the next on a flyer as the Brit secured third thanks to a 1’43.895, just 0.008s shy of his morning best. His next attempt looking to challenge overall before it fell away in the final sector, but enough to place him sixth overall in the combined times.

The second half saw the front runners pick up the pace as Celestino Vietti slid into fifth with his 11th attempt, Aldeguer saving a massive moment before getting his head down for two personal best laps as he retained his position at the top of the times.

A late session lull saw a hive of activity in pitlane as the pack prepared for its final run, Sam Lowes staying out as he fine-tuned his race pace from ninth after a steady session on the Marc VDS machine.

Italtrans’ Joe