Filip Salac set the Moto2 running on the first day of the Italian GP, ending Practice with the fastest time, while Jake Dixon enjoyed a strong showing in 9^th.

The fabulous Mugello Circuit, just 40 minutes from the Tuscan city of Florence, hosted the opening of the 9^th round of the 2025 Moto2 season on Friday

In line with the recent heatwave engulfing southern Europe, the weather was sunny and hot throughout Friday, with the afternoon Practice taking place in track temperatures of 49 degrees.

Both Jake and Filip will be back on track on Saturday for two sessions with FP2 starting at 09:25 local time and qualifying getting underway at 13:45.

Jake Dixon, 9^th – 1’50.669

It was a strong start to the day for Jake as he set the 2^nd fastest time in FP1, just 0.04s off pace setter Manuel Gonzalez.

The 29-year old worked in tandem with his team-mate through the afternoon Practice session, and showed a consistent pace early on. He was quick over a 6-lap run, with 3 times coming in the 1’51s.

The Briton climbed to 9^th in his last run and is pleased with his bike setting. He plans to work on some aspects of his riding in the 1^st half of the lap to improve on Saturday.

“Overall, it was a pretty good day. We picked up from where we left off at the test in Barcelona. We’re trying to work through a few things – not on the bike, but with me, my riding style, and my confidence. I feel now the bike is more than capable of being fast enough, as you can see with Filip. He did a fantastic job today and rode really well. Credit to him. I just need to do a bit better in Sectors 1 and 2. I’m not riding great in that part of the track. I need to sit down tonight and analyse what I can do better in those areas. Apart from that, it’s been a positive day.”

Filip Salac, 1^st – 1’50.208

Filip had a solid start to the day by placing 8^th in FP1 as he lapped the fast, technical 5.25km track within 0.56 of the fastest name.

The Czech rider was immediately in the zone in Practice, and posted the session’s fastest time in just his 2^nd flying lap when benefiting from Jake’s slipstream.

In an 8-lap run at the start of Practice, the 23-year old was able to do 5 times in the 1’50s-1’51s, which represents a very competitive pace.

“It was a good day. From the first session I’ve been feeling quite good on the bike. In the morning I was missing something but in Practice Jake and I did some great team work. I set almost the perfect lap behind him which put me in first place. Even the pace wasn’t bad. We are getting closer to the Kalex guys, which means we’re on a good way. I’m happy about that. The goal for tomorrow will be to qualify on the first two rows. After that we can have a good race on Sunday. Overall, I’m feeling really confident at a track that I like a lot.”