The opening day at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ concluded with Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) topping the MotoGP™ timesheet. His 1m38.930s lap smashed the unofficial Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya lap record, as he shaved 44 thousands off the time established by Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) in the late May tests.
Today was a first for most riders: they put to the test the updated layout at the penultimate corner and the resurfaced Catalan circuit track. In the first free practice, Viñales’ best time remained unattainable. However, raising temperatures (tarmac temperature increased 15 degrees, from 28ºC this morning to 43ºC early in afternoon) led to a different story in the afternoon session.
Lorenzo was the only rider below 1m39s, exclusively challenged by Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), hot on his tail on 1m39.037s (+107 thousands). Viñales brought his Yamaha M1 in for third place (1m39.422s), followed by Dovizioso (4th on 1m39.443 for Ducati Team), and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). The Italian, along with Marc Márquez, Jack Miller and Aleix Espargaró, was one of the rare riders who scored his best lap in FP1. Il Dottore was the sole frontrunner to choose soft compounds for the front and rear tyres for FP1, and then again, one of the few not to pick that combination for FP2.
Márquez (Repsol Honda Team) played the odd man out in FP2: he worked on hard tyres throughout the session, until he went down with four minutes remaining in his ninth fall this season. He tumbled down the order for an unusual 12th place finish (1m39.882s). Tomorrow, he will have to pull out all the stops in FP3 to find a spot among the top 10 and make it into Q2. With the soft tyres set still available, he should not have any trouble in graduating to the later qualifying heat. His team mate Dani Pedrosa wound up 9th (1m39.655s).
The Moto2™ leader stamps his authority
Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) was the fastest man in the combined free practices held today for the Catalan Grand Prix. The championship leader set a blistering 1m44.225s morning lap, and it remained unmatched. Current championship leader and local hero Álex Márquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) lorded over FP2, and earned second place overall on a 1m44.340s lap. He was the only man among the top 5 who managed outdoing his morning best time.
German rider Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt Intact GP) wound up third, with Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) fourth. They both matched Márquez’s exact time, proving how level the playing field is, and heralding an exciting weekend in this series.
Spanish Pons HP40 team rookie Augusto Fernández finished a remarkable fifth overall after his outstanding performance in FP1. Conversely, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40), second and third in the overall standings, dropped down the ranks to 10th and 13th places. Both of them need to push hard tomorrow if they aspire to a good grid position.
Bezzecchi sets the pace in Moto3™
In an incredibly even double free practice today, as much as 18 riders finished within a second of the best lap clocked by championship leader Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP, 1m49,005s). The KTMs swept the top three places in the combined times. Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PruestelGP) was second, trailing his team mate by some 55 thousands of a second. Germany’s Philipp Oettl (Sudmetal Schedl GP Racing) claimed third, 67 thousands off the pace.
Jorge Martín (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) topped an incident-packed morning session on 1m49.241s, with 8 fallers altogether. However, by the end of the day, the Spaniard had dropped to 5th place, behind Italian Niccolò Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
Fabio di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3), current owner of third spot in the overall standings, finished 19th fastest (1m50.013s). Arón Canet, 4th overall for Estrella Galicia 0,0 team, finished 10th today (1m49.534s).
Current FIM CEV leader Raúl Fernández put up an amazing performance and wound up 12th (1m49. 599s) as a wildcard. The Ángel Nieto Team Spaniard is on his way to prove he has got what it takes to climb to the World Championship for good.
The show goes on beyond the racetrack
This Grand Prix opening day was full of out-of-track excitement. One of the highlights was the pitlane walkabout, where racing fans had the opportunity to get closer to their heroes and their two-wheelers. Another big attraction is the Monster Party, offering fun and great day and night atmosphere (it will stay open until 2 am on Saturday). Located in the old heliport, the party area includes a photocall, simulators, a surf machine, and electronic music with DJ Mambo Brothers and DJ Oliver. Endless activities and fun, added to the autograph signing session offered by several Monster world championship riders.
On Saturday afternoon, the GP Lap and the RACC Motorcade will offer 500 motorbike riders the opportunity to complete a lap, and ride on the same tarmac which will host the much expected Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP races.
As homage to Spanish multiple world champion Ángel Nieto, a giant graffiti will be created behind the Main Grandstand. This will surely become a shrine of Nieto, who passed away last summer.
Aleix Espargaró’s twins are already Circuit members
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya increased its membership today, as Max and Mia Espargaró, Aleix Espargaró’s newborn twins, were made members of this institution. Circuit General Manager Joan Fontserè delivered their membership cards to the rider, who was born very close to the Circuit, along with two customized baby bodysuits.
Tickets on sale
Tickets for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya de MotoGP™ can be purchased at www.circuitcat.com or at the racetrack box offices as of 8am. Doors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will open on Saturday at 8am. All parking lots will be open from 7am. Parking is free for motorbikes and cars.
