Portimao Moto2 Test: Acosta smashes lap record, leads Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2

Pedro Acosta smashes the Official Portimao Moto2 lap record to finish testing quickest from team-mate Augusto Fernandez.
Pedro Acosta, Portimao Moto2 test, 19/02/2022
Pedro Acosta, Portimao Moto2 test, 19/02/2022
© Gold and Goose

Moto3 world champion Pedro Acosta showed no signs of slow🐭ing down as he dominated the final day of✱ Official Moto2 testing in Portimao.

With many calling the Spaniard a rookie sensation throughout the 2021 season, andꦗ rightfully so, similar words look set to define the 17 year-old as he goes into his first year in Moto2. 

Acosta, who was within a tenth of the leader on both days one and two, eventually ended the three day Portimao test nearly two tenths clear of team-mate Augusto Fernandez, while his S7 lap time was just unde🌠r a second quicker than Remy Gardner’ official 202𒊎1 lap record. 

Speaking after his first official Moto2 test, Acosta said: "We have been able to try out many things during this test, which was the key to being c🅰lear about things when we get to Qatar. 

"We wanted to know what works and what we have to work on more. We have taken an important step forward and I’m happy a𒅌bout it. 

"Now I feel more prepared to start the season and, a🦄l🦩though we still have a lot to learn, we will try to do our best."

While all the spotlight is on Acosta due to his already brilliant performances, day three of the Portimao test looked eerily sim🔴ilar to last season for Red Bull KTM Ajo as they secured a 1-2.

Fernandez set his best time during S8 before he and Acosta elected n𓂃ot to ride in the final se🦂ssion - only five riders chose to do so. 

Although Fernandez appears to h💙ave a difficult challenge ahead of him due to Acosta’s impressive adaptation to the intermediate class, the former Pons and Elf Marc VDS rider looks back to his best after making significant steps with’ race tyres’.

"It’s been a hard and intense week of work, but I🐷’m very happy with how each and every day of testing h🐓as gone, as I have felt better and better with the bike and with the team," added Fernandez. 

"Today we have been able to improve again, including with race tyres, lowering our😼 lapꦕ times. 

"Now I’m clear about things and I fully understand e💜verything I need to be ready for Qatar, where we will try to give our all an💎d enjoy ourselves."

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