Moto2: Tony Arbolino 'optimistic' of being competitive in Qatar

Second-year Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino is 'optimistic' of being competitive at next month’s season opener in Qatar, after finishing official testing in Portimao P11.
Tony Arbolino, Portimao Moto2 test, 21 February 2022
Tony Arbolino, Portimao Moto2 test, 21 February 2022
© Gold and Goose

To🎶ny Arbolino be༺lieves a competitive showing at next weekend’s 2022 Moto2 season opener in Qatar is a very realistic possibility. 

The Italian, who took part in his first official test for Elf Marc VDS earlier in the w🍒eek, finished the three day Portimao test in 11th spot - +1.066s down on current Moto3 world champion Pedro Acosta. 

While Arbolino enjoyed a solid and consistent test, the same can’t be said for team-mate Sam Low🉐es who had to miss out on t🐓he final day due to a tendinitis problem in his left hand. 

Although Lowes is a☂iming to be ready for the Qatar🦂 grand prix in just ten days time, Arbolino could be leading the team’s charge as he did during the final day of testing. 

"We have worked iღncredibly hard over these three days in Portimao, and we made a lot of changes to the bike to find our ideal base set-up heading to the first race in Qatar," said Arbolino. 

"The crew real𓃲ly had to work so hard but I’m sure this will be rewarded when we go racing. 

"We have undeꦐrstood a lot of things about our package at this test and we also found solutions to some of our problems, so we go to Qatar optimistic that we can be competitive. 

"If we continue to work in the way we have done durinꦅg winter testing then we can achieve some great results together this season. My crew and I go to Qatar fully motivated to show our best potential in the first race."

While the Moto2 class is shaping up to be as competitive as ever in 2022, Arbolino could have a real chance of achieving 🦋his best result yet, which would mean a maiden intermedꦦiate class podium. 

As a rooki🐭e Arbolino claimed four top ten finishes with a best🥃 result of fourth coming at Le Mans.

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