Fermín Aldeguer «repeated» what he did in the morning and led the second practice session of the Australian GP. There was hardly another rider to be at the top of the standings during the afternoon session at Phillip Island.
Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp/Boscoscuro) was the first leader of the session, ahead of Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia/Kalex). The Spaniard continued the strong work he had already done in the morning session.
After Arón Canet (Pons Wegow Los40/Kalex) briefly moved into third, there was some stability in the top positions. With 25 minutes to go, everything remained the same at the front when the session was interrupted with a red flag due to the presence of two large geese on the track.
Dejà-vu?
— MotoGP™#AustralianGP
https://t.co/o2UdxX5oM7
(@MotoGP) October 20, 2023
The interruption was brief, but when the session resumed, lap times did not immediately drop. Close to the last quarter of an hour, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo/Kalex) moved into second place, while Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS/Kalex) settled in fifth.
Within the last ten minutes, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team/Kalex) surprised by moving into third. Aldeguer and Acosta were still in the top two positions.
However, shortly after, Acosta was overtaken by Canet and Jake Dixon (Inde GasGas Aspar/Kalex). The session entered the stage where riders focused on setting fast lap times. Within the last five minutes, Acosta had a crash that, although not resulting in an injury, kept him off the track in the final moments.
Yellow flags are out!
— MotoGP™@37_pedroacosta has taken a tumble at Miller Corner!
#AustralianGP
Until the checkered flag, nothing changed. Aldeguer confirmed his lead, 0.138s ahead of Canet, with Dixon in third and Acosta in fourth. Manuel González (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team/Kalex) completed the top five. Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS/Kalex), second in the championship, posted the 12th fastest time.
Timesheet:
