The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders finished second and third, respectively, on an opening day of the Dutch Grand Prix with mixed conditions.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo contended with mixed conditions on the opening day of the Dutch Grand Prix, after rain appeared at Assen in the early afternoon. In the morning, in a dry track, Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner showed their form by taking second and third on Friday’s combined timesheets and earning provisional spots in tomorrow’s Qualifying 2.

The day got off to a good start for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 duo, with both riders running a strong and competitive pace in FP1. Fernandez placed second with a time of 1:36.887, just 1 tenth down on the top rider, and put in 19 productive laps. Gardner was only a further 2 tenths behind, in third position, stopping the clock at 1:37.132 on his 18th and last attempt.

In the afternoon, wet conditions emerged for FP2, due to the onset of rain hours before the session. Both Gardner and Fernandez decided to take things calmly, avoiding excessive risks considering the state of the surface. The Australian finished 18th with a time of 1:49.845 after 18 laps. Fernandez was 23rd, setting a 1:50.984 on his 12th attempt out of a total of 14.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 pair will have a final Free Practice session on Saturday morning in which to prepare their bikes for qualifying. Q1 is scheduled for 3:10 PM local time and Q2 at 3:35 PM.

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)
1. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) 1:36.744
2. Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.887 +0.143
3. Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:37.132 +0.388
4. Jorge Navarro (Boscoscuro) 1:37.269 +0.525
5. Simone Corsi (MV Agusta) 1:37.396 +0.652

87 REMY GARDNER

“It was a strange day, due to the rain in the afternoon. However, in the morning, in dry conditions, we felt good and we were quite fast, setting a strong pace. In the afternoon, the track was in wet conditions and we found it more difficult to ride. Tomorrow we will try to take a step forward in this regard. Even so, the positive point is that I feel comfortable, things are going well, and we will see how the rest of the weekend goes.”

25 RAUL FERNANDEZ

“I’m happy with how the day went. In FP1, I adapted well and I rode quite competitive times. In FP2, in wet conditions, I didn’t feel good at all. We will have to have a small reset, since in the afternoon I wasn’t able to enjoy things; when that happens, it is more difficult to go fast. Tomorrow we will try again, we will work to improve our feeling if it rains and, if it’s dry, we know that we are fast.”