Jonas Folger tops the timing sheets in a thrilling third and final Moto2 practice session. Setting a time of 1:43.594, he is 0.153 seconds ahead of Alex Rins in second place.
Rins, who had struggled to find his form in previous sessions, edges out Sandro Cortese who finishes the session in third. Johan Zarco who has looked unbeatable all weekend so far, could only manage fourth place, 0.253 behind the quickest time.
Simone Corsi, who had rubbed shoulders with Rins during the session, was fifth. He was followed closely by Dominique Aegerter in sixth, with Brit Sam Lowes in seventh just 0.308 off the pace.
Taka Nakagami ends the session in eighth, with Franco Morbidelli in ninth and Thomas Luthi rounding out the top 10.
Although only half a second off of Folger, Britain’s Danny Kent ends the session in 12th in a tightly contested field. There is just one second covering the top 22 riders, which sets this afternoon’s qualifying session up as one not to be missed.
Edgar Pons was forced to sit out the session. After feeling unwell during the Qatar weekend, he has now been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Doctors have sent him home to Spain where he will remain housebound for three weeks. He will be forced to miss the Austin round next week, but hopes to be well enough to return to his home round of Jerez.
