Nakagami takes top spot in final Moto2 test

Moto2 preseason testing has concluded for 2014, with Honda Asia rider Takaai Nakagami taking the top spot in the absence of the Marc VDS and Aspar teams of Tito Rabat and Mika Kallio and Jordi Torres and Nico Terol respectively.

Nakagami managed a 1:42.206 lap, almost 0.2 faster than second placed ma, former Moto3 champion Sandro Cortese. Former 125GP Thomas Luthi was another 0.08 back on Cortese on his Interwetten Suter.

At the end of the three days, Nakagami said: “First of all, we are very happy that we have achieved the top spot of the timesheet throughout three days testing. I can feel that our conditions become better test by test. Also I kept improving best time under good weather conditions. I’m more than happy that I could keep running by consistent and high average of lap times, which is my main target from last year. It’s no doubt that my rivals are very strong but I’m confident to fight with them!!”

British rider Sam Lowes finished the test in 13th place despite finishing day one in second, after a tendon injury ruled him out of most of it, while Gino Rea was 22nd as he struggled with pain from his still-broken foot after a Valencia crash last month.

1 Takaaki NAKAGAMI 30 JPN Idemitsu Honda Team Asia  KALEX 1:42.206 
2 Sandro CORTESE 11 GER Dynavolt Intact GP  KALEX 1:42.393 0.187 
3 Thomas LUTHI 12 SWI Interwetten Paddock Moto2  SUTER 1:42.472 0.266
4 Xavier SIMEON 19 BEL Federal Oil Gresini Moto2  SUTER 1:42.556 0.35 
5 Johann ZARCO 5 FRA AirAsia Caterham Moto Racing  CATERHAM SUTER 1:42.616 0.41
6 Luis SALOM 39 SPA Pons HP 40  KALEX 1:42.628 0.422 
7 Lorenzo BALDASSARRI 7 ITA Gresini Moto2  SUTER 1:42.639 0.433 
8 Alex DE ANGELIS 15 RSM Tasca Racing Moto2  SUTER 1:42.699 0.493 
9 Dominique AEGERTER 77 SWI Technomag CarXpert  SUTER 1:42.778 0.572 
10 Simone CORSI 3 ITA NGM Forward Racing  FORWARD KLX 1:42.822 0.616 
11 Maverick VIÑALES 40 SPA Pons HP 40  KALEX 1:42.872 0.666 
12 Jonas FOLGER 94 GER Argiñano & Gines Racing  KALEX 1:42.910 0.704
13 Sam LOWES 22 GBR Speed Up  SPEED UP 1:42.928 0.722 
14 Franco MORBIDELLI 21 ITA Italtrans Racing Team  KALEX 1:42.936 0.73 
15 Julian SIMON 60 SPA Italtrans Racing Team  KALEX 1:43.024 0.818
22 Gino REA 8 GBR AGT-Rea Racing  SUTER 1:43.645 1.439