Moto2: Perfect start for Pasini in Thailand

After ending FP1 at the top of the timesheets, Mattia Pasini continued his perfect start to the PTT Thailand Grand Prix as he went fastest once again in FP2 and kept hold of the top spot. The Italian set a 1:36.839 to finish 0.142 ahead of championship leader Francesco Bagnaia, with Alex Marquez 0.298 back but cementing third in the afternoon session.

Lorenzo Baldassarri ends day one at Chang International Circuit fourth on the combined timesheets, just 0.008 off Marquez’ time, with fellow Italian Luca Marini also leaping up the timesheets in the afternoon. It was 14th to fifth for the VR46 Academy rider, who sits half a tenth behind his compatriot as he rounds out the top five.

Just behind him, second Pons HP 40 rider Augusto Fernandez built on his positive FP1 to end the day sixth quickest and continue impressing, only separated from his teammate by Marini. The Spaniard leads the two Red Bull KTM Ajo machines of seventh place Brad Binder – winner in Aragon – and eighth quickest Miguel Oliveira, with the Portuguese rider also a key presence near the top in FP1 as he aims to close down the points gap to Championship leader Bagnaia.

Marcel Schrötter recovered from an FP1 crash to end the day in ninth, with Fabio Quartararo rounding out the top ten in Thailand as the Frenchman remained in tenth from FP1. Sam Lowes ended the day in 14^th, fast through the final sectors but struggling for top speed on the Chang circuit’s long straights.