Now, let me tell you about a session that leaves you genuinely breathless. David Alonso of the CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team has thrown down the gauntlet at the Mobility Resort Motegi, seizing Friday control of the Moto2 field at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. The Colombian pilot did it in absolute style, carving out a stunning new class lap record with a blistering 1:47.508.
That incredible machine of his left very little breathing room for the rest of the grid. Manuel Gonzalez, representing the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP squad, gave chase with everything he had, slotting into second place just 0.033s adrift of the benchmark. Meanwhile, the championship leader managed to carve out a 0.027s cushion over third-place Izan Guevara of the BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 outfit. When a mere 0.093s splits the entire top four, you know every single millimeter of tarmac is being fiercely contested.
Things weren't entirely smooth sailing for everyone, either. Guevara faced disaster earlier in the day during FP1 when a stone pierced his bike’s radiator, but thankfully the afternoon session brought a complete turnaround. He immediately went to work, posting a personal best time early in Practice that held strong until the very final moments when only the top two managed to better it. Behind them, Tony Arbolino put in a resilient shift for REDS Fantic Racing, securing P4 despite suffering a crash along the way.
Further down the order, the competition remained wonderfully fierce. Daniel Holgado, carrying the banner as the 2025 Moto2 Motegi winner for the CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team, rounded out the top five. He kept just ahead of Austrian GP second-place finisher Filip Salač, with the Czech rider representing the OnlyFans American Racing Team while finishing a mere 0.156s away from the ultimate top time.
Rounding out the direct entry spots into Q2, home hero Ayumu Sasaki delivered for the fans by placing P9 for the Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team. He slotted in just behind Adrian Huertas of the Italtrans Racing Team and Alonso Lopez riding for ITALJET Gresini Moto2, while Senna Agius rounded out the Friday top 10 for Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP.
