Foggia, Suzuki dominate three day Portimao test, early season favourites?

Dennis Foggia and new Leopard Racing team-mate Tatsuki Suzuki were in sublime form as they topped all three days of Official Portimao Moto3 testing. 

Foggia, who was the 2021 championship runner-up to rookie sensation Pedro Acosta, missed the first day of action before finishing second quickest on day two. 

The Italian finished just +0.019s off Suzuki’s top time, while the Japanese rider was also fastest during the opening day on what was his official testing debut for the team that has won three of the last seven Moto3 world championships - the last of those was with Lorenzo Dalla Porta in 2019.

Come the end of Monday’s third day of running, and it was Foggia atop the timingsheets as he claimed top spot by half a tenth over Andrea Migno, while the gap to third placed Izan Guevara was a substantial three tenths. 

Speaking after the lone official pre-season test for both Moto3 and Moto2 riders, Foggia told MotoGP.com: "I'm happy with this Monday, the bike and some changes - it's been a great test for me.” 

"I had a good pace on my own, that's so important for the qualifying, but also especially for the races. 

"And of course I'm happy with the lap record. Of course it will be important, like all races. I'll just do my best. 

"I'm not quite fit again, I'm at 90 percent with my foot. But when I get home I'll see my doctor to be ready for the first race."

Given the impressive display from both Foggia and Suzuki, along with the team having a proven track record of winning world championships in the lower category, it’s fair to say both riders will start next weekend’s season opener in Qatar as hot favourites for victory. 

Foggia and Suzuki also have the most wins between teammates of any current pairing on the grid (8) - Foggia has six wins, five of which came last season and Suzuki has two.