Pol Espargaró reported the fastest time on Friday at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, where the first 2012 preseason Moto2 Test concluded after three days of action at the track in Valencia.

Warmer weather and an absence of wind saw the Moto2 field quicken the pace substantially, demonstrating the although the 2012 season is just beginning, the Moto2 squads have their heads down and the competition has already started.

Pons Racing finally reported lap time for their riders on the third and final day of the test, and it was their new rider Pol Espargaró who set the unofficial fastest lap of the three days.

The Spaniard made 61 laps on his Kalex on, reporting a time 1:35.4, three tenths quicker than Scott Redding who had dominated the two previous days.

“In these tests, you don’t get points or win races, but it takes enormous confidence to keep working hard and building confidence for the start of the world championship,” said Espargaró.

Another regular among the front runners was Speed Master’s Andrea Iannone, who recorded the same time as the Briton Redding, Simone Corsi (Ioda Racing Project) and Claudio Corti (Italtrans Racing) both were within a tenth of the time set by Redding and Iannone to complete the top five in the field.

Although conditions were better, there were still several crashes (though none with serious consequences) including Max Neukirchner, Ratthapark Wilairot, Alex de Angelis, Gino Rea, Niklas Ajo, Esteve Rabat, Mike Di Meglio (two times), Damian Cudlin and new comer Roberto Rolfo.

The Moto2 riders now have five days before returning to the track again for the next three day test in Jerez.