Diogo Moreira’s (Italtrans Racing Team) title hopes are more than real as the Brazilian topped the opening day of action in Moto2 at Phillip Island. A deficit of just nine points means it is very much game on and after two crashes for Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) on the first day, Moreira has the momentum into Saturday.
Championship contender Moreira was in fine form on his last run, with the Brazilian fresh from a deal to move into MotoGP in 2026. The #10 pushed hard right until the end of the session and was able to take top spot on his penultimate flying lap. Finishing his session with a very strong run, Agius blasted his way to the top before eventually finishing second to end his first day at home in fine fashion. David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) rounded out the top three, less than a quarter of a second away from Moreira in P1.
Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Gonzalez were fourth and fifth but it wasn’t a dream day for ‘Manugas’. The Championship leader had a fast crash in FP1 at Turn 8 and suffered another tip-off at Turn 4 in the closing stages of Practice. This, combined with Moreira being on top, was not he envisaged his first day in Australia.
Indonesian Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) took P6 as he finds more form on the comeback from injury, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), Darryn Binder (Italjet Gresini Moto2) and rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the top ten.
There were crashes for Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) at Turn 9, leaving him down in P21, whilst Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) took separate falls at Turn 6.
Moto2 Practice results from Phillip Island!