Moto2 Test: Canet at record pace in Spielberg/Moto2

While the eleven MotoGP teams prepared immediately after the Austrian Grand Prix, a portion of the small and medium class remained. After Jerez in the spring, the official test day was only the second chance to work on the drivers’ performance and race equipment.

From 9 a.m., Moto2 pilots were able to set off on the 4.3-kilometre special Grand Prix track in Styria for 55 minutes for the first time. The teams, spread out over the course of the day, were allowed to complete four sessions lasting around an hour.

However, not all representatives accepted the official test offer. Of the 30 riders registered in Moto2, only a few dozen names appeared on the time screens.

The Moto2 test was of only limited importance due to the complete absence of all four Boscoscuro riders. The Aki Ajo team, which won yesterday's race with Celestino Vietti, also missed the test session in Austria. Also on track was the MarcVDS team with Arbolino and Salac. The Belgian team will compete for the 2025 World Cup with Boscoscuro bikes.

Both the American Racing team with Roberts and Ramirez and the German Intact GP team with Darry Binder and Senna Agius were already on their way home.

On the other hand, the Fantic Racing team with Aaron Canet and Xabi Cardelos acted with full commitment. Canet, who initially announced that he would stay with Fantic for the weekend and had to give up the last podium spot to Jake Dixon in the race, was the driver of the day at the Red Bull Ring.

Despite having only competed in 25 races, Canet was the fastest Moto2 rider in all the divisions. The Spaniard took it seriously: his best time of the day of 1:33.608 minutes was 0.2 seconds off Vietti’s pole position last Saturday. Never before had a Moto2 rider been faster on the roller coaster.

In the last hour of testing, things got tough at the front. Somkiat Chantra, one of the most diligent testers with 75 laps, also fell short of Vietti’s record with a time of 1:33.7 minutes. Young Dutchman Zonta van der Goorbergh (60 laps) was the third pilot to stay under the 2024 Pole time with a time of 1:33.8.

In very good conditions, the VR46 Master Camp drivers also made strides forward. In particular, rookie Ayumu Sasaki, who had completely disappeared throughout the season, showed a potential breakthrough. With a time of 1:34.3 minutes, the young Japanese in the Kalex chassis was almost a second faster than his best lap of the weekend.

Moto2 test results in Spielberg, August 19

1. Aaron Canet (E), Calix, 1:33.608
2. Somkiat Chantra (T), Calix, 1:33.725 min
3. Zonta van den Goorberg (Netherlands), Calix, 1:33.893 minutes
4. Jeremy Alcoba (E) VR46, Calix, 1:33.932 min
5. Tony Arbolino (I), Calix, 1:33.973
6. Barry Baltos (B), Calix, 1:34.163
7. Ayumu Sasaki (Y), Calix, 1:34.338 min
8. Filip Salach (CZ) Kalix 1:34.440 min
9. Mario Agi (RI), Calix, 1:34.494 min
10. Jorge Navarro (E), K, 1:34.557 min
11. Xavier Cardelos (f), Calix, 1:34.996 min
12. Javier Artigas (E), Calix, 1:35.114 min