The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 rider places second on the combined timesheets, with teammate Kaito Toba 14th.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team completed a positive first day of work at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with both riders provisionally on course for spots in Q2. Raul Fernandez was the second fastest competitor on Friday, topping the timesheets in the morning session and becoming the first to break the 1:42 barrier. Kaito Toba was able to lower his lap times from the FP1 in the FP2. The Japanese rider was 14th overall, and satisfied with his feeling on-board his bike.

In Free Practice 1, Raul Fernandez carried over the good work he did last week with his team, leading the first session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The Spaniard was the only rider to go into the 1:41s, with a 1:41.962 on the penultimate lap of his 18. Kaito Toba dedicated the practice to confirm the progress he made during the race last Sunday. The Japanese was calm and comfortable in an FP1 that he finished in 13th place – 1:42.640 -, just 6 tenths behind his teammate.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 duo started the second session of the day with a 15-minute delay, serving a penalty for slow riding in practice for the San Marino GP. Fernandez was back at the top of the order in FP2 when he suffered a crash at Turn 5. The Spaniard went out on track again to set a time of 1:42.120 on his eighth and final lap, taking him to fifth. Toba took further steps forward on his 10 laps of Misano, riding faster than in the morning practice and placing 13th with a personal best of 1:42.360.

FP3 takes place on Saturday morning, followed by Q1 and Q2 at 12:35 pm and 1 pm, respectively, to decide the grid for the Emilia Romagna GP.

Results – FP1 & FP2
1. Jaume Masia (Honda) 1:41.663
2. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:41.962 +0.299
3. Celestino Vietti (KTM) 1:41.983 +0.320
4. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:42.075 +0.412
5. Andrea Migno (KTM) 1:42.089 +0.426
14. Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.360 +0.697

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“It was a positive Friday. It’s a shame about the crash we suffered in FP2, but we have to be grateful that I wasn’t hurt. Tomorrow we will give one hundred percent again and the goal is to get a good spot on the grid for Sunday. We have a very competitive bike, and that is thanks to the team doing a great job. I am also doing my best and I hope I can get a strong result here.”

27 KAITO TOBA

“We took a step forward compared to last week. My feeling on the bike has improved a lot, and that has been reflected in the times we set today. We still have some things to perfect ahead of qualifying, so tomorrow we will continue to work hard and concentrate. We have to be positive and try to enjoy every practice.”