MotoGP Motegi: Fernandez on form for Moto2 FP1

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Augusto Fernandez celebrated his birthday with the fastest Moto2 time at Motegi on Friday.

The championship leader secured a 1’50.493 to lead Idemitsu Honda Team Asia’s Somkiat Chantra by just 0.084s after the sole 40-minute practice of day one in Japan. The duo’s teammates completing the pattern as Pedro Acosta held off Ai Ogura in the top four.

The rain began to make its presence felt as the intermediate class ventured out for its first taste of the Motegi layout in three years. Taiga Hada leading the session at his home circuit with a 1’55.505 from Pertamina SAG teammate Bo Bendsneyder before Gresini’s Filip Salac and Italtrans’ Joe Roberts bettered.

With the conditions analysed as more mental rain than grip-affecting, Flexbox HP40’s Aron Canet and Fernandez hit the top, the KTM setting the second fastest time of the morning before the standings shuffled again. The duo instantly back in charge from Salac and Aspar’s Jake Dixon with Aragon victor Acosta circulating fifth.

Home hero Ogura was the first to break into 1’51 pace before his title-rival Fernandez matched the time. Second Idemitsu Honda rider Chantra bettering the pair at the halfway stage with a 1’51.919 as just 0.007s covered the rapid trio.

Elf Marc VDS’ Tony Arbolino was the next to shine a quarter of a second ahead. Teammate Sam Lowes tentatively making his return from injury towards the back of the times after an eventful set-up day for the squad following a garage fire late on Thursday night.

Simone Corsi’s MV Agusta expired at the side of the track with 20 minutes remaining on the clock. The majority of the pack hitting the pits for the mid-session lull.

Back in the action, Roberts advanced for the top three before Ogura rose to the