Martin, Arbolino, Antonelli the fastest trio at Jerez

Valencia’s quickest in testing strikes back, but it’s far from lonely at the top on Day 1 of the second Official Test

Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) stamped some more authority on the 2018 preseason at the second Official Test of the year in Jerez, topping the timesheets once again as he did during the lightweight class’ first test at Valencia – but by just 0.066 seconds. Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) made his mark close by in P2, with Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) only 0.040 further back in a Honda top three. KTM weren’t far behind, however, with Albert Arenas putting the newly-renamed Angel Nieto Team Moto3 into P4 – just 0.013 off.

Day 1 at the Circuito de Jerez began dry before some rain in the middle of the day, but the blazing sun returned and laptimes improved further. Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was fifth quickest and the first man on the timesheets whose best lap was set in the morning rather than the afternoon, with the Honda rider closely followed by another KTM with Marco Bezzecchi (PruestelGP) in P6.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) was seventh fastest but nevertheless only three tenths off the top, with the Italian’s 0.137 deficit to the man ahead of him the biggest gap in an incredibly close top ten. Compatriot Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) was eighth in a good show of pace, with his laptime from Session 3 just beating his teammate, Enea Bastianini’s laptime from the morning session. The two Leopard riders were less than a tenth apart.

Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) completed the top ten on combined timesheets on Day 1, with rookie Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) just 0.005 off in P11. Andrea Migno (Angel Nieto Team Moto3), Gabriel Rodrigo (RBA BOE Skull Rider Team), John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) locked out the fastest fifteen.

Close behind Suzuki it was a solid debut on the world stage at Jerez for Makar Yurchenko (CIP – Green Power), with the first Kazakhstani rider in the Championship just 0.067 in arrears – and a sliver ahead of reigning FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Champion Dennis Foggia (Sky Racing Team VR46).

There’s more from Moto2™ and Moto3™ on Tuesday, with the second Official Test on track from 10:00 (GMT +1). For full results. click here!