Portimao Moto2 test: Acosta takes charge on day two, Lowes third

A rainy second day of Moto2 testing at Portimao found Pedro Acosta in charge for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Overnight rain left the track empty as Saturday got off to a much slower than anticipated start. The pack eventually ventured out for the second of three sessions as conditions brightened while the majority of hot laps came in the mid-afternoon climax.

The former Moto3 champion had bided his time, waiting until the third and final action to hit the track before setting a 1’42.234 benchmark with his 27th of 29 laps. Wet weather specialists Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon had set the pace in the earlier session with the Idemitsu Honda rider dipping to seventh in the day’s combined efforts while the Aspar man rounded out the top ten.

Fellow Brit Sam Lowes completed Saturday’s running third overall on the Elf Marc VDS, with Friday hero Aron Canet sitting second on the Pons Kalex. Two and three tenths respectively split the leading trio, with Speed Up’s Fermin Aldeguer up to fourth while the second Elf Marc VDS of Tony Arbolino completed the top five as the only riders under the 1’43 barrier.

Fieten Olie Racing’s Barry Baltus, KTM Ajo new recruit Albert Arenas - who suffered a second day crash - and Pertamina Mandalika SAG’s Bo Bendsneyder maintained their top ten running from the opening day, in sixth, eighth and ninth respectively with Fantic’s Celestino Vietti - a fellow faller - Italtrans’ Joe Roberts and Husqvarna rookie Darryn Binder just adrift.

Rory Skinner completed day two neatly behind his American Racing teammate Sean Dylan Kelly in 26th with a 1’44.851 best.

Portimao Moto2 test Saturday combined times

1 37 Pedro Acosta SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KALEX 1’42.234 2 40 Aron Canet SPA Pons Wegow Los40 KALEX 1’42.451 0.217 3