MotoGP Austin: Foggia leads Moto3 times in late Friday practice

Leopard’s Dennis Foggia mastered the Circuit of the Americas with 2’15.440 pace in Friday’s later-than-usual Moto3 practice.

Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno was second, just under four-tenths shy after setting the pace in the opening session, with Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Daniel Holgado and Jaume Masia vying for position in the top four.

The lightweight class fired up ten years to the day after the first Moto3 race with Masia setting the 2’17 pace from CFMoto’s Xavi Artigas. The GasGas Aspar duo of Izan Guevara and Sergio Garcia ran just above the 2’18 barrier with Migno rounding out the top five in the opening ten minutes at the Texas track.

The Italian took charge with a 2’17.5 on his fifth lap, Foggia the next best Honda in eighth as the Austrian manufacturer’s three branches battled for position in between.

Diogo Moreira maintained his rookie success as he moved his MT Helmets KTM into fifth at the halfway stage, Carlos Tatay trailing the Brazilian on the second CFMoto machine as Guevara dropped to eighth and Stefano Nepa and Tatsuki Suzuki joined the top ten.

VisionTrack Honda’s Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley began their COTA education from 22nd and 29th respectively as the British rookies got to grips with the vast 20-turn Texas layout while Ana Carrasco reacquainted herself with the circuit from 26th on the BOE SKX KTM. John McPhee missing once again as his recovery from fractured vertebrae continues.

Foggia was in command as the final 15 minutes began thanks to a 2’17.222. Migno and Artigas maintaining their lead over Masia, Garcia and Moreira in the top six.

Issues for Tech3 saw Deniz Öncü yet to set a time as the final ten minutes approached. Teammate Adrian Fernandez having only three laps to his name, albeit from 13th