After a Day 1 that saw zero progress for the intermediate class as rain stopped play, Day 2 of the Official Test at Losail International Circuit in Qatar got underway with dry skies and good temperatures; the grid ready to get to work. The three sessions saw Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) go fastest first from Franco Morbidelli (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS), with the EG0,0 Marc VDS rider hitting back in Session 2. The third outing of the day was topped by Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – but with both Morbidelli and teammate Alex Marquez in close company at the top once again.
Overall results saw Nakagami’s best of 2:00.187 take P1, just 0.053 ahead of Morbidelli followed by fastest in Jerez Marquez in P3. Marquez also suffered a small crash but made it back round to the pits after picking the bike up, ending the day on a 2:00.427. Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) had an impressive Day 2 to end up fourth on combined times – 0.584 off Nakagami on a 2:00.771.
Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Miguel Oliveira was another who impressed once again as the new KTM chassis debuts in Moto2, going fifth fastest with a 2:00.861 and a consistent force to be reckoned with near the top. Teammate and reigning Moto3 World Champion Brad Binder, who is coming back from a broken arm, ended the second day a couple of seconds adrift as he continues to put in the laps. Lüthi took P6 ahead of Pons HP 40 rider Fabio Quartararo, the rookie impressive once again, with Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing) rounding out the top eight.
Kiefer Racing’s Danny Kent was the fastest Suter in P9, with fellow Suter entrants Dynavolt Intact GP in close pursuit with Marcel Schrötter in P11. Axel Pons (RW Racing GP) split the two Suter machines in tenth, putting in a 2:01.252 in the second session as his fastest of the day.

Fenati quickest in Qatar
After cancellations on Day 1 following inclement weather, Day 2 of the second and final Moto3 Official Test at Losail International Circuit saw good weather return to allow full running for the lightweight class. Italian Moto3 veteran Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) took the top spot overall in a tight field, putting in a best of 2:06.690 in Session 3, and proving the quickest man on track in each session of the day.
The closest competition came from Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3), who set the second fastest lap in Session 2, a 2:06.729, closely followed by Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) with a 2:06.749. RBA BOE Racing Team’s Gabriel Rodrigo was fourth, putting in a best of 2:06.957 as the last rider under the 2:07 barrier.
Martin suffered a crash at T15, but with few consequences.
Livio Loi was next up in fifth on combined standings on Day 2, with the Belgian Leopard Racing rider just ahead of Italian Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Japanese rider Ayumu Sasaki (SIC Racing Team). Sasaki, although a Moto3 rookie at the track, first raced at Qatar in the Asia Talent Cup.
New Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Niccolo Antonelli was P8, with second RBA BOE Racing Team rider Juanfran Guevara taking ninth on a 2:07.162 – with competition incredibly tight from P4 down.