On the last day of winter testing in Portugal, Marcel Schrötter injures himself in a crash – Moto2 rookie Pedro Acosta sets the absolute fastest time
From Saturday to Monday the Moto2 class tested for three days at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. It was a joint test of the two small classes. Alternately, the track was available to Moto2 and Moto3.
Some teams had already completed private tests in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain). Marcel Schrötter and the IntactGP team were also there. The only World Championship starter from Germany already showed good lap times in Jerez.
And things also started well for Schrötter in Portimao. He was among the front runners and the work on the set-up was positive. But on Monday the setback happened. Schrötter crashed in the morning on his first flying lap.
He broke his left hand in the process. In his Instagram story, Schrötter wrote: “Not the end of testing we were hoping for. I broke my left hand in the morning. I am on my way to Barcelona.” Schrötter is due to have an operation there.
Whether he will be at the season opener in Qatar in a fortnight is open at this point. Schrötter assures, “I will do everything so that I can race in Qatar.” With his Sunday time, the 29-year-old finished eighth in the final classification of the test.
Bo Bendsneyder also suffered an injury in a crash. The Dutchman broke a collarbone and also needs surgery. Another rider also has physical problems.
Sam Lowes complained of tendinitis and could hardly ride. Eventually he decided to cancel the test to get fit for the season opener.
Rookie Pedro Acosta sets fastest time
Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta made the sporting headlines. The Spaniard is still with Aki Ajo’s KTM team. Acosta set the best time with 1:41.552 minutes and thus also remained under the Moto2 lap record.
Augusto Fernandez underlined that the Ajo team will also be a force to be reckoned with this year with second place. Aron Canet followed in third place. As usual, Kalex bikes were to be found in the leading field. But one talent stood out with a different bike.
Fermin Aldeguer rode the Boscoscuro chassis to fourth place. Apart from that, Kalex only has competition from MV Agusta, because NTS has withdrawn as a chassis manufacturer. The best MV rider was Marcos Ramirez in 13th place.
In the course of the three test days there were also crashes again and again. Apart from Schrötter’s crash, the rest of the accidents were not serious. The first race will take place on 6 March at the Losail Circuit in Qatar.
