Qatar Moto2: Lowes leads FP2 to finish day one on top in Losail
Sam Lowes was close to his best time from the recent test as the track cooled down and the pace picked up in FP2 for Moto2 ahead of the opening Qatar Grand Prix.
The British rider set his best - a 1m 58.939s - early in the session and it topped the timesheets unmatched at the chequered flag.
The Elf Marc VDS Racing team rider lead an all Kalex top nine with his rival from last season Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) close behind - just 0.104s separated the pair.
Joe Roberts, last season’s polesitter, showed he had not lost any of his pace around Losail. The Italtrans rider was often out working with his team-mate Lorenzo Dalla Porta as he climbed to third at the end of day one.
Xavi Vierge pulled his Petronas Sprinta Racing bike up to fourth after finishing FP1 down in 16th. Friday was a strong day for the team with Jake Dixon ninth as he learns how much his injured wrist can take, with it still sore and lacking strength.
Between them Remy Gardner put in a consistent performance to claim fifth for Red Bull KTM Ajo, Bo Bendsneyder was strong again in sixth for SAG Team, while Nicolo Bulega made gains to ride to seventh for Federal Oil Gresini.
Raul Fernandez was the best of the rookies in eighth on the second Red Bull entry.
Jorge Navarro pushed his Boscoscuro Speed Up entry into the top ten late on.
The remaining provisional qualifying spaces were filled by Marcel Schrotter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) in eleventh and his rookie team-mate Tony Arbolino in twelfth.
The highly experienced Tom Luthi found enough towards the end of the session to move into 13th for the SAG Team while Aron Canet (Inde Aspar) rallied to finish Friday 14th overall.
Elsewhere, Moto3 reigning champion Albert Arenas (Inde Aspar) has a steep learning curve to overcome in 21st , while AMA Superbike champion Cameron Beaubier continues to learn a new bike, track and championship for American Racing, he is currently 24th - an impovement from FP1.
Somikat Chantra fell at turn five, leaving him off the pace in 22nd.
