Moto2 Valencia: Holgado sets record and crashes, Moreira in a dramatic twist

It’s an unexpected twist at the end of Moto2 Practice in Valencia. Who would have expected the overall leader, Diogo Moreira, to be outside the top 14 for direct Q2? The Italtrans Brazilian will in fact have to go through Q1, something Manuel Gonzalez won’t have to do, as he secures a solid 10th place without pushing too hard. Daniel Holgado stands tallest of all, the rider behind the new Moto2 lap record at the Iberian track, although he makes a late mistake that ends with a slide into the gravel. Good showings from Celestino Vietti and Tony Arbolino, no standout laps but both head straight into Q2. Here’s how the afternoon session went.

The 2024 MotoE World Champion is on track for a wild card with Japanese chassis maker NTS and technical support from Team MMR, working with the world championship squad Idrofoglia RW Racing GP. It’s an exact replica of the special appearance made two years ago right at Valencia. There’s an extra emotion this year though: Hector Garzo, a rider originally from the Valencian Community, couldn’t forget a tribute helmet, in remembrance of what happened in 2024. “I proudly carry the colors of our land, a tribute to my home, to all the people who always support me and, above all, to everyone who suffered because of DANA,” commented the Valencian rider. “This helmet is a small tribute to the strength, unity and courage that Valencia has always shown. Racing at home is always a unique moment, but this weekend I’ll do it with my heart full of emotions. I’ll give my all to achieve the best possible result in front of my people.”

The most important Friday session of the GP gets underway, and we’ll see who goes straight into Q2 in this final round in Valencia. Arbolino makes an early impression, but not for long: Dani Munoz arrives on the scene, still with KTM Ajo in place of the injured Oncu. The Spaniard is lapping at record pace, as shown by the 1:32.868, a new absolute best lap for Moto2 at Valencia! It had already been rewritten in FP1 by Alex Escrig, but it gets even better in this second and final session of the day. As usual though, you have to wait for the checkered flag to get the full picture. Standing out above all is Daniel Holgado, the freshly crowned Rookie of the Year, although he soon runs long into the gravel and slides out, ending his session early. But the biggest surprises concern the title fight: Moto2 points leader Diogo Moreira is only 19th and will also have to go through the first qualifying session!