Vierge leads Lowes in FP3, Lecuona remains top overall

Two Spaniards lock out the top two positions heading into qualifying as fellow countryman Marquez sits P3 on the combined times

Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) topped the final Moto2™ Free Practice session of the weekend at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, setting a 1:47.297 to head second fastest Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors) by 0.343 and third place Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by 0.437. But it was Friday’s fastest man Iker Lecuona (Swiss Innovative Investors) who remains fastest overall heading into qualifying.

Vierge’s FP3 time means he ends Free Practice 0.592 off Lecuona in P2 on the combined standings, with Alex Marquez’ (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) FP1 time keeping him inside the top three – the Spaniard finishing P6 in FP3. Oliveira sits fourth overall, his fastest time also coming on Friday morning, with Lowes rounding out the top five after going nearly a second quicker on Saturday. Sixth overall is Joe Roberts (NTS RW Racing GP), the American rider finished P18 in FP3 but remains up the sharp end thanks to his FP1 pace.

Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) – a faller in FP3 – sits in P7 on the combined times, while Petronas Sprinta Racing’s Niki Tuuli continues to have a strong weekend in Valencia – P8 overall and P4 in FP3. Completing the top ten in the combined standings was Tech 3 Racing’s Remy Gardner, the Australian suffering a highside at Turn 10 in FP3, rider ok, with Moto2™ World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46).

Once again there were a host of crashes in the intermediate class. Replacement rider Tommaso Marcon (HDR Heidrun – Speed Up), Xavi Cardelus (Marinelli Snipers Team), Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team), Hector Garzo (Tech 3 Racing), Jules Danilo (Nashi Argan SAG Team) and NTS RW Racing GP’s Steven Odendaal all crashed – Garzo headed to the medical centre for a checkup.

Who will take the final Honda-powered Moto2™ pole position? Find out at 15:05 local time (GMT +1).

Click here for the full results! 

Watch 2019 preseason, every race LIVE & OnDemand and enjoy the whole motogp.com video library, including technical features, exclusive interviews and classic races, with the MotoGP™ VideoPass