Barcelona (AFP)
Italian Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha-SRT) set the best combined time of the first two free practice sessions of the Catalan Motorcycle Grand Prix on Friday, ahead of Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati-Avintia).
Morbidelli's teammate, Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, for his part obtained the 6th fastest time after setting his best time in the morning while most of the other drivers did theirs in the second in the afternoon.
The practice sessions were marked by a strong wind which often unbalanced the pilots.
Zarco crashed before setting his fastest time in the second session.
The 3rd is the South African Brad Binder (KTM) ahead of the Italian Maverick Vinales (Yamaha).
A third practice session will take place on Saturday morning before qualifying from 2:10 p.m. (12:10 GMT).
The drivers having achieved the ten best times of the first three free practice sessions directly participate in the second qualifying session (Q2), which determines the first 12 places on the starting grid.
The others must participate in a preliminary qualifying session (Q1) of which the two fastest are drafted for Q2.
Combined classification of the first two MotoGP free practice sessions held on Friday at the Montmelo circuit (4.627 km):
1. Franco Morbidelli (ITA / Yamaha-SRT) 1: 39.789
2. Johann Zarco (FRA / Ducati-Avintia) at 0.109
3. Brad Binder (AFS / KTM) at 0.219
4. Maverick Vinales (ESP / Yamaha) at 0.419
5. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN / Honda-LCR) at 0.623
6. Fabio Quartararo (FRA / Yamaha-SRT) at 0.642
7. Joan Mir (ESP / Suzuki) at 0.652
8. Pol Espargaro (ESP / KTM) at 0.685
9. Alex Marquez (ESP / Honda) at 0.689
10. Valentino Rossi (ITA / Yamaha) at 0.713
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© 2020 AFP