Tuenti HP 40’s Pol Espargaró has announced himself as the man to beat this season by ending the three-day Valencia Moto2™ test on top, as Interwetten-Paddock’s Tom Lüthi was taken to hospital after a crash with Honda Gresini Moto2’s Ratthapark Wilairot.

Lüthi, who finished the test in fifth, has been taken to Valencia’s 9 d'Octubre Hostipal with a suspected broken right arm and collarbone, while Wilairot is being treated at the circuit for pain in his head. At present the exact cause is unclear, with both riders not being able to fully recall the incident.

Before the incident happened, Espargaró’s time set in the second session today of 1.34’577 put him top of the pile ahead of Mapfre Aspar Team Moto2’s Nico Terol, who looks to have had an upsurge in form this year. Whilst Espargaró was testing only minor upgrades on his Kalex, Terol was evaluating the 2012 chassis and the 2013 one, with him tending towards the newer one, but still undecided.


Italtrans Racing Team’s Julián Simón gelled with his Kalex over the three days, going just four tenths slower than the top time, with Terol’s teammate Jordi Torres closely behind. Lüthi, who had looked strong before his crash, was fifth, with Simón’s teammate Takaaki Nakagami carrying over his form from the end of last year, to post the sixth quickest time.

Marc VDS Racing Team’s Scott Redding left it until the penultimate session of the day to jump to seventh place on the table, as he starts his championship challenge from a strong position, ousting Pons’ Esteve Rabat into eighth. NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Simone Corsi continued to be the strongest Speed Up rider, with Came IodaRacing Project’s Johann Zarco completing the top ten. Dynavolt Intact GP’s Sandro Cortese ended the test as strongest rookie in 21st place.

There were also crashes for Torres, Rabat, NGM’s Alex de Angelis, Zarco, as well as Tech 3 Racing’s Louis Rossi. Fortunately these riders were not seriously hurt.

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