Moto3, Jerez Test: Canet stands out, Fenati chases

The fight for the 2017 title is now officially open, and all of the young Moto3 riders are hard at work, sharpening their weapons ahead of the Qatar season opener. Day one of a three-day test has already revealed some initial stars.

Leading the way for now is the Spanish rider of the Estrella Galicia team Aron Canet who, after debuting last year, lays down the gauntlet with a lap time of 1’46”465, just two tenths from the 2016 time that awarded Nicolò Bulega his first pole. In second place is Romano Fenati, a positive end to the day for a rider who was often in first place and closed 0.273 of a second from Canet. The hypothetical front row is rounded out by Jorge Martin, who stops the clock on 1’46”906 with team Gresini's Honda.

Fourth for the former rookies cup champion Bo Bendsneyder (+0.597), followed by Juanfran Guevara (+0.756) and Enea Bastianini, 0.832 from his team-mate  out front. Seventh for Philipp Oettl (+0.859), with the Sky team's Nicolò Bulega following behind (+0.869). John Mcphee and 2016 rookie of the year Joan Mir round out the top ten.

Marco Bezzecchi makes an impression, using his knowledge of the track gained in the CEV to close thirteenth (+1.067) ahead of another academy rider in the shape of Andrea Migno (+1.231). Seventeenth for SIC58 rider Tony Arbolino (+1.311), while Niccolò Antonelli remains in the shadows for now, in 20th place (+1.320).

Recovering from a collarbone injury, Fabio Di Giannantonio is 24th, almost two seconds from the front, ahead of Lorenzo Dalla Porta (27th, +2.196) and Manuel Pagliani (29th, +2.779).