Tetsuta Nagashima and Mattia Pasini complete the first two Free Practice sessions held today at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli hosted the opening Free Practices for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Friday, beginning the eighth round of the Moto2 World Championship. Tetsuta Nagashima finished 13th on Friday and provisionally earned a spot for tomorrow’s Q2 session. Stand-in teammate, Mattia Pasini, was 25th in his first experience with Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2, performing a professional job.

Tetsuta Nagashima is keen to make the most of this week’s second chance of success at Misano and in FP1 he had already lowered his times from last week. It was on his 17 lap of 20 that he clocked his personal best of 1:36.557, putting him seventh – under 2 tenths off the pacesetter. Pasini had a positive first outing aboard the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 machine. The Italian dedicated the session to completing as many kilometres as possible, eventually putting in a total of 20 laps. At the end of the practice he was 19th, after stopping the clock at 1:37.352.

In Free Practice 2, Tetsuta Nagashima was the most active competitor, with 23 laps to his name. The best time for him in this session was a 1:36.790, taking him to 18th position. Mattia Pasini would ride 19 laps and place 25th, after stopping the clock at 1:37.459.

In FP3 tomorrow morning, both Tetsuta Nagashima and Mattia Pasini will be able to finish preparing for qualifying. Moto2 Q1 will start at 3:10 pm local time, and Q2 will get underway at 3:35 pm.

Results – FP1 & FP2
1. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:35.956
2. Aron Canet (Speed Up) 1:36.046 +0.090
3. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:36.157 +0.201
4. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:36.161 +0.205
5. Joe Roberts (Kalex) 1:36.251 +0.295
13. Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.557 +0.601
25. Mattia Pasini (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:37.352 +1.396

45 TETSUTA NAGASHIMA

“Today was a fairly good day, as we took a big step forward compared to last week. This time we were much more consistent with our times compared to Free Practice for the San Marino Grand Prix. I felt comfortable on the bike and that is important. I am sure that tomorrow we will be able to take another step forward that will allow us to qualify in a positive position.”

54 MATTIA PASINI

“I am happy with the work we did today. It had been a long time since I got on a Moto2 bike, but this morning I felt comfortable early on. In the afternoon we decided to go out with used tyres in order to gather data and find a feeling that could help me to be better for the race on Sunday. Although our time was not very fast, I am satisfied with how things went on Friday. Tomorrow morning we will try to set a good fastest lap to try to get into Q2. I want to thank the team once again for allowing me to be here.”