Moto2: Mir shows his potential with Mugello top spot

Joan Mir has shown why he’s been feted by factory teams in recent weeks with his Moto2 pace, topping the opening day of action at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello. The Marc VDS Kalex rider ended the day’s action only 0.1 ahead of Brit Sam Lowes on the Swiss Innovative Investors KTM, with Francesco Bagnaia rounding out the top three.

The provisional second row was led by home favourite and 2017 race winner Mattia Pasini, ahead of Alex Marquez and Lorenzo Baldassarri. Romano Fenati was seventh, leading an all-Italian third row of Luca Marini and Andrea Locatelli.

Speaking afterwards, Lowes said: “It was a good day. I felt relaxed on the bike and we had a long run on used tyres this afternoon. On new tyres, I also made good times. Overall, both sessions were positive. I feel good and, as I said, we are making good steps forward. We keep working and I’m looking forward to the race.”