Jake Dixon sets new Mandalika Moto2 lap record, Andrea Migno fastest in Moto3

Jake Dixon has ended day-one of Moto2 action fastest thanks to a new lap record in Mandalika, while race winner at Qatar Andrea Migno was quickest in Moto3.

Robert Jones

18 Mar 2022

Jake Dixon, Moto2, Indonesian MotoGP, 18 March 2022
© Gold and Goose

While others found the newly-resurfaced Indonesian track to be quite a challenge, Dixon was extremely impressive as he finished Friday's Moto2 practice four tenths quicker than Qatar race winner Celestino Vietti.

Dixon was slightly fortunate to have such a margin as 16 year-old Fermin Aldeguer was on course to go fastest before being held up by Marcel Schrotter with two minutes to go.

Nevertheless, it’s a much needed start to the Mandalika weekend for Dixon after the GASGAS Aspar rider failed to deliver a top ten result in Qatar.

Following a crash-free FP1, a session that took place in damp conditions, several big names came unstuck around the 2.6 mile circuit. The first of those was Aron Canet as the Spaniard crashed at turn two along with Filip Salac (separate incidents).

With FP2 under yellow flag conditions at the time of Canet’s fall, Moto2 hotshot Pedro Acosta committed a cardinal sin in motorcycle racing terms as he crashed at the same corner.

Acosta has since been given a Long Lap penalty for Sunday’s race.

Behind Dixon and Vietti was Sam Lowes as the Elf Marc VDS rider finished six tenths down on his British compatriot.

The big name who failed to secure a top 14 spot and will therefore be hoping for a dry FP3 is Ai Ogura - Japanese rider could only manage 20th place.

Speaking after his day-one performance, Dixon said: "It was a good first day. The track is amazing, the layout suits my style, I like fast corners.

"The bike is also amazing and I can’t say enough about it. When you have a bike underneath you, you can really show your potential.

"The team allows me to do that. I think that, as the season goes on, we will be really strong.

"Today I felt incredible, but we need to keep working: I’m fast today, but we need to continue like this tomorrow and on Sunday.

"I still have some work to do on myself, I feel like there are some areas where I can improve, but, for day one, I’m really happy."

In Moto3, pre-season championship favourite Dennis Foggia led the way for most of FP2, but as was the case during the Qatar race, Migno produced late pace to take over at the front.

Izan Guevara was first in breaking Foggia’s stranglehold on top spot, before impressive rookie Scott Ogden went second. But as the time attacks continued to pour in, Migno set the best time with a 1:40.960s

Foggia eventually had to settle for third after Carlos Tatay claimed his highest ever finish in a Moto3 session with P2.

Ayumu Sasaki was fourth following his devastating Qatar DNF - the Husqvarna rider led every lap in dominating fashion before mechanical issues brought an end to his race.

Rounding out the top ten were Guevara, Deniz Oncu, Riccardo Rossi, Jaume Masia, Ogden and Ivan Ortola.