Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta complete the first day of the official test, in which both riders carry out productive work.

This Saturday, Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 completed the first of the three days of the official test in Portimao, with which the team will conclude the 2022 pre-season. Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta finished third and fourth, respectively, on the combined timesheets for the day taking part in two of the three sessions available. The duo had to face strong winds at the Portuguese circuit.

Fernandez had a positive opening day of the Portimao test, leading the first two sessions and finishing third on the combined timesheets with a best lap of 1:43.258. The Spanish rider overcame discomfort in his injured left hand to do an excellent job with his team, improving his feeling with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 bike. He completed a total of 40 laps.

Acosta rode a Moto2 bike on the Portuguese track for the first time, continuing with the process of adapting to the intermediate class. The reigning Moto3 World Champion made rapid progress, improving his lap times on each outing on track, closing with a personal best of 1:43.264. Acosta racked up a total of 27 laps, which gives him valuable experience and good conclusions to draw upon for tomorrow.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 team will remain in Portugal until Monday, when the pre-season test comes to an end.

Results (Combined practice times Day 1)
1. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:43.169
2. Aron Canet (Kalex) 1:43.244 +0.075
3. Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.258 +0.089
4. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:43.264 +0.095
5. Cameron Beaubier (Kalex) 1:43.529 +0.360

37 AUGUSTO FERNANDEZ

“I am happy with this first day, because my hand feels better and we have been able to make progress. I felt fairly good with the base setup that we had from Jerez. We worked as if it were a Grand Prix weekend, looking for the best setup for the bike according to the track conditions, and we have been able to try out some things. I am improving every time I go out on track, and I want to continue like this.”

51 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We have had a good start on the first day of testing in Portimao. We needed a few laps to understand the circuit with a Moto2 bike, as it is different compared to Moto3. However, we felt good, we have taken a step forward and we have got back the same feeling that we had at Jerez. For the next two days we will continue testing things to draw conclusions for Qatar.”