The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider is fastest, while Albert Arenas finishes nineteenth.

The San Marino Grand Prix began with Pedro Acosta the dominant force in Moto2, setting the best time of the day. Albert Arenas had a difficult start, finishing in 19th position after suffering a heavy crash in Practice 2.

Moto2 Practice 1 started with a high pace and the current World Championship leader focused on race pace and his strategy for Sunday. Acosta moved up into second position and, after a pit stop, took the top spot with a 1:35.921 on his penultimate lap. Arenas made progress and felt more and more comfortable as the session went on. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider suffered a small crash, but continued Practice 1 until he finished in seventeenth with a time of 1:37.556, achieved on his 14th lap of 18.

The afternoon session followed a similar script to Practice 1. Acosta continued to be the man to beat at Misano, showing a consistency that will be key for the race. After 19 laps, he achieved an outstanding time of 1:35.921, more than half a second ahead of second place. Arenas had a good feeling in the early stages and kept up a good pace. He suffered a big crash at Turn 9, in which he dislocated his left shoulder. He was subsequently transferred to the medical centre and, due to the injury, was declared unfit by the medical services. The Spaniard was only able to complete 5 laps, finishing in nineteenth position with a time of 1:37.150.

Moto2 qualifying will take place on Saturday, starting at 1:45 PM local time.
 

Results (Combined practice times P1 – P2)
1. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:35.921
2. Celestino Vietti (Kalex) 1:36.462 +0.541
3. Jake Dixon (Kalex) 1:36.622 +0.701
4. Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro) 1:36.632 +0.711
5. Sam Lowes (Kalex) 1:36.658 +0.737
19. Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:37.150 +1.229

#37 PEDRO ACOSTA

“We are working towards the race more than looking for a fast lap. Since we improved in the middle of the practice we didn’t take such a big step forward, but I’m very happy with the result. We had some problems with our time attack, but we have been competitive from the beginning, we are riding faster than last year and with a better feeling.”

#75 ALBERT ARENAS

“The feeling on this first day at Misano was good. Until the middle of FP2 we were working towards the race, we had a good pace and I felt very comfortable. I had a bad crash in Practice 2 and I dislocated my left shoulder. Tomorrow we will do some more tests to find out the extent of the injury, although I feel fine.”