Moto2 and Moto3 head to Qatar for final pre-season test.

Three days of the fine weather in Jerez allowed the teams and riders to prepare for the extensive programs ahead, as for some it was their first time on track in 2016.

In the middleweight class, Axel Pons (AGR Team) topped the test with a time record of 1’41.730. He finished 0.345s ahead of Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2). Axel was quite confident of his race pace compared to many in the field.

It was not a perfect test for Pons though; A heavy fall after his fastest lap saw the Spanish rider sit out all of Friday’s testing. He however looks fully fit and prepared for the final test in Qatar.

During the Moto2 test was Lorenzo Baldassarri (Forward Team), the Italian continued with a good pace from the private test and finished ahead of Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40).

Alex is hoping to use the time in Qatar to refine his bike setting before preparing for the main race.

Reigning Moto2 World Champion, Johann Zarco had a difficult test, the Ajo Motorsport rider took up position 14 at the end of the three day test.

It was an Italian affair in the Moto3 World Championship test with five Italians inside the top ten. Romano Fenati (SKY Racing Team VR46) led the three day test with a solid 1’46.445, 0.060s ahead of Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0).

Fenati is now one of the most experienced riders in the lightweight class and has his sights set on the title, his aim in Qatar is to improve his consistency before battle commences on the 20th.

Two of the stands out performers of the test were Nicolo Bulega (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), third and seventh respectively.

The pair fought for the CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship in 2015 and were able to use their ample experience at the Spanish circuit.

Qatar will present a brand new challenge for them and their fellow rookies. New tracks present one of the biggest challenges for a rider during their debut season, but three days of testing at the Losail International Circuit should ease their transition into the first race.

The three day test commences on the 11th of March and will take place from 15:00 to 22:30 Local Time on all three days. Moto2 and Moto3 will each have three hour and twenty minute sessions on track a day.