Game on: Dovi rises to Marquez’ challenge at Motegi

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) ended Day 1 at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan as the fastest man on track, but the Italian was only 0.043 ahead of his nearest challenger – Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). Marquez was fastest in the morning by some margin before ‘DesmoDovi’ hit back, and the reigning Champion ended his afternoon session prematurely with a crash at Turn 4 – rider ok.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was top Independent Team rider on Day 1, and impressed in both sessions – second in FP1 and third in FP2 to go third overall. He was just ahead of Ducati Team’s Jorge Lorenzo, who was fourth in both the morning and afternoon – despite an incident in which the Majorcan was collected up in a crash for Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda).

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was the top Yamaha on Day 1 and completed the top five, 0.073 seconds clear of fellow Indendenpent Team rider Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) – who was another 0.073 ahead of compatriot Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) managed to find something in the afternoon session to move up to P8, having struggled in FP1 with the combination of wet weather and relatively low temperature. He headed Crutchlow, with rookie Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completing the top ten as both Hamamatsu factory machines were amongst the potential Q2 graduates. Suzuki also had a new aero-fairing out on track.

As Pedrosa moved up the combined timesheets, it was a tougher first day for Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) as he moved down from FP1 to FP2, ending Friday in eleventh and just over a tenth faster than his teammate Valentino Rossi.

0.018 seconds further back was one of the most impressive performances of the first day as Kohta Nozane (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – replacing Jonas Folger – took thirteenth, ahead of Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) and Karel Abraham (Pull&Bear Aspar Team).

The weather sadly looks unlikely to change too much, but it remains to be seen how the skies look for FP3 as graduation to Q2 is decided, and then the grid for the race on Sunday.

Lüthi leads from the front in Japan

Championship challenger sets the pace on Friday at Motegi

Wet and rainy was the forecast for Friday at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, and the forecast turned out to be wholly accurate. It was Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) who mastered conditions best to top the combined timesheets with his best in FP2 despite a lowside, ahead of Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) – fastest in the morning – and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Championship leader Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), who leads Lüthi by an apt 21 points going into the race, was fifth quickest.

Fourth overall and impressive in both sessions was Hafizh Syahrin (Petronas Raceline Malaysia) despite a fall for the Malaysian, with Xavier Simeon (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) showing some impressive wet weather pace in P6 behind Morbidelli. Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) was seventh on combined times and once again quickest rookie.

Sandro Cortese (Dynavolt Intact GP) was P8 overall after putting in his quickest lap in FP2, just edging Swiss rider and Misano winner Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing) overall as the two switched order in the afternoon. Stefano Manzi (Sky Racing Team VR46) pulled off an impressive save in FP1 and completed the top ten on combined timesheets, another who was faster in the morning than the afternoon.

Tetsuta Nagashima (Teluru SAG Team) was the fastest Japanese rider on Friday at Motegi, with some impressive pace in FP2 especially to go eleventh ahead of Jorge Navarro (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2). Just 0.014 behind the Spaniard was Luca Marini (Forward Racing Team), who crashed at the end of FP2 – rider ok. The top fifteen was completed by his compatriot Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) and Xavi Vierge (Tech 3 Racing).

With weather uncertain going forward, it’s advantage Lüthi on Day 1.

Bulega blasts to the top on Friday

Sky Racing Team VR46 rider heads his teammate and the timesheets after Day 1 at Motegi

Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) began the first day of the Japanese GP fastest in FP1 ahead of teammate Andrea Migno, and that’s how the top of the timesheets remained at the end of the day. With wet conditions throughout both sessions and the rain not showing any sign of stopping, the two Italians headed out in FP1 to do a long run and completed 18 consecutive laps, not returning to pitlane until the flag and fastest in a 1-2 for the team. Compatriot Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) locked out the top three overall with his laptime from FP1 and was the quickest in FP2 in the tough conditions, showing more good wet weather form following his win at Misano by 28 seconds.

One headline of note saw a tough first day for Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) as he searches to wrap up the Championship this weekend, with the Majorcan P17 overall and suffering a crash in the afternoon – only his fifth of the year.

Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was fourth quickest overall as he, like Fenati, prepares for a last stand in the title fight, with the top five on combined times completed by Niccolo Antonelli (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – the first of those able to improve in the afternoon.

Manuel Pagliani (CIP) had an impressive start to the Japanese GP in sixth, ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) and Malaysian Adam Norrodin (SIC Racing Team), who was one to crash on Day 1 but rider ok. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Honda Team Asia) improved his FP1 time to go ninth overall by the end of action, with Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) the leading home hero to lock out the top ten.

Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had an eventful Day 1 with a number of crashes but was eleventh fastest, with Japanese rider Ayumu Sasaki (SIC Racing Team), Albert Arenas (Aspar Mahindra Moto3), Enea Bastianini (Estrella Galicia 0,0) and John McPhee (British Talent Team) taking P12 to P15.

Now it’s time for FP3 and qualifying on Saturday as Mir faces down the chance at the crown.

More, from a press release issued by Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS:

Aoyama and Rabat chase confidence in Japan

The crucial MotoGP World Championship flyaway triple-header got off to a difficult start for Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Hiroshi Aoyama and Tito Rabat in Japan today.

Wet and chilly conditions at Twin Ring Motegi meant both of today’s 45-minute practice sessions were confidence-building exercises for Aoyama and Rabat, who worked effortlessly to improve the wet set-up of their Honda RC213V machinery.

All of Aoyama’s vast experience came to the fore today when the Japanese rider, who is substituting for the injured Jack Miller this weekend, delivered a mistake free performance in tricky conditions.

The former 250cc World Champion improved his pace around the 4.8km Twin Ring Motegi by a massive 1.7s this afternoon and reduced his deficit to the best time by a full second.

A 22nd place finish on the combined standings was an impressive display from the 35-year-old considering his last taste of MotoGP competition came almost a year ago when he participated in the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.

Today’s dismal weather presented Rabat with the perfect opportunity to gain vital missing confidence in wet conditions. The Spanish rider went about the task with typical enthusiasm and determination, but progress was limited after the disruption of a crash in the early stages of FP1 at turn 7.

Rabat recovered to lap 1.3s faster in FP2, despite using the same Michelin rain tyres for the whole of both sessions, but he is still missing confidence to push his RC213V closer to the limit in rain conditions.

Hiroshi Aoyama: 22nd – 1’57.548

“It is a fantastic feeling for me to be back in MotoGP and I have to once again thank Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS and Honda for this opportunity. It’s extra special to be racing at home as well and the only shame is the weather. This morning it was just about being calm and steady while I tried to understand the performance of the Michelin rain tyres because I don’t have so much experience with them. I was careful and I improved this afternoon but I still don’t feel like I am pushing at 100% while I try to find more confidence with rear grip. If you don’t have good rear grip it is not so easy at this track because of the hard acceleration points.”

Tito Rabat: 23rd – 1’57.645

“Today was a difficult day. I had the crash early in FP1 that didn’t help my confidence in these conditions and this afternoon we continued to use the same set of tyres to save some for tomorrow. The truth is though I am too slow. All I can say is I will try my best to improve tomorrow and hope that the conditions are more favourable.”

More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech 3:

Zarco fastest Yamaha on wet day 1 at Motegi

Johann Zarco showed his formidable form in the wet by closing the opening day of the Motul Grand Prix of Japan in 5th position. With rain expected for the entire weekend, Zarco got straight into gear and began undertaking the key setup work in preparation for Sunday’s race. He notably finished the day only 0.407 back from the top three and as the leading independent rider.

Meanwhile, Kohta Nozane, who is stepping in for Jonas Folger at this round, lit up the Twin Ring Motegi circuit with a highly promising display on his MotoGP debut. The young Japanese rider delighted his home crowd by powering to 13th in the afternoon and now he confidently awaits the second day of action, which begins with FP3 at 09:55 local time or 02:55 in central Europe.

Johann Zarco

Position: 5th – Time: 1’55.468 – Laps: 31

“I am feeling good and I’m happy to be in Japan. It’s a shame to have the bad weather, however, I think that it could be an advantage for me. FP1 went well but then it was even better this afternoon. The others riders were really fast and Dovizioso rode an incredible lap time, yet I am not far back from him so I am pleased. I still need to work more with the team in order to feel as strong as possible on the bike because you can be fast for one lap, but the most important thing is to be quick on every lap, especially if it rains. I am working on it and I need to keep focused so let’s see if we can improve in FP3 tomorrow, however, to be in the top ten at the moment is the main point. When it rains, it can be quite tough on a full power MotoGP bike because of the water on the track and there’s a lot of spinning. Yet, we can see that the tyres are working really well and, along with the suspension and the bike, we have a strong feeling because this circuit has very good grip. If it stays like this for Sunday, it will be advantageous but we are working positively already.”

Kohta Nozane

Position: 13th – Time: 1’56.453 – Laps: 35

“Day one went quite well and it was enjoyable as well as exciting to compete against the fast MotoGP riders and this is good. I am confident in myself and although it is only the first day and it’s too early to say which position I will finish in, I feel positive. Motegi is my local racetrack as my home is not so far from here. Tomorrow, it will be cloudy and the conditions could be dry, so the other riders will be faster. However, I am really enjoying this moment and I will try my best for the race on Sunday.”

More, from a press release issued by Octo Pramac Racing:

Solid start for Petrux in Japan: 6th place and top speed. Scott 14th after a positive FP1

The Octo Pramac Racing’s weekend at the Motegi Twin Ring circuit starts well.

Danilo Petrucci overcomes the physical problems that debilitated him before his departure for Japan and finds a convincing feeling in wet Friday’s free practices. The rider Terni ends up FP2 in 6th position setting the highest speed (299.0 km/h) recorded on the track.

Scott starts well (3rd in FP1) but in the afternoon he doesn’t manage to get back to the morning conditions, having to contend with lack of grip on the rear. The English rider finishes the first day of activity for the Gran Prix of Japan in 14th place.

6th – Danilo Petrucci 1’55.541

“It was a good day. This is a particular track, with excellent grip on the front but we will have to improve in braking areas. In the FP2 I did a long run with a very good pace. I missed the fastest lap but I’m satisfied. We will have to work a little bit on the set up but I am confident that we can stay with the leading group”.

14th – Scott Redding 1’56.680

“Things went well this morning. I had a good grip and the sensations were positive. In the afternoon we made some changes but I didn’t find grip on the rear. If I have to be honest, I am a bit confused and I do not understand why I wasn’t able to improve. We must work to find something that can help in sight of tomorrow’s qualifying”.

More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:

Marquez second quickest, Pedrosa eighth on Day 1 at rainy Motegi

The two free practice sessions of the Japanese Grand Prix’s opening day were characterised by steady rain and cool temperatures, but Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez showed a great pace from the beginning of the action.

Marc was fastest in the FP1 session and was pushing hard during FP2 after fitting a new rear tyre when he suffered a high-side at turn 4, causing him to miss the last minutes of the session. Nonetheless, the time he had already set was fast enough to place him second on the day, a mere 0.043” off provisional pole-setter Andrea Dovizioso.

After ending the first stint in 20th place because he was struggling with a lack of grip, Dani Pedrosa found a better rhythm in the afternoon and ultimately closed the day in eighth place, less than a second off the top.

Marc Marquez 93

1’54.920 2ND

“This morning everything was perfect and I felt very, very good on the bike. That was the case until the last exit of FP2, despite having to go back from a change to the setup that hadn’t work as well as we hoped. At the end of the session we fit a new set of tyres and I had a different feeling, less grip. I suffered a high-side, which is a bit uncommon in MotoGP now, but in the end, I’m fine. We need to check for why it happened, and we can certainly work a bit on the electronics to understand how to improve that side. Anyway, our speed was there and our lap times came out good, so our mentality will remain the same. I feel confident for the weekend.”

Dani Pedrosa 26

1’55.773 8TH

“This morning was very tough as we struggled to put heat into the tyres and I had no grip at all. In the afternoon we modified the setup, aiming to cope with these cold temperatures, and we improved a little bit but not enough yet. I’m still feeling uncomfortable on the bike due to the lack of grip. We had a softer tyre spec available, but looking at the forecast, we expect more rain to come. We preferred to continue with the tyre configuration that we think can last the race, looking to understand how to make them work better for us.”

More, from a press release issued by Reale Avintia Racing:

 Baz and Barbera start to work in rainy Japan

Reale Avintia Racing riders Loris Baz and Hector Barbera finished 20th and 21st on the first day of practice at the Twin Ring Motegi. The opening day was difficult because of the rain that came down on the Japanese venue during the whole day, and the forecast for the rest of the weekend is no different. That’s why it was especially important today to get the best feeling with the bike and the Michelin wet tyres.

This morning, Hector Barbera set the pace in the first few minutes, but then he dropped back in the standings as he was not able to improve his lap times. Things went the opposite way for Loris Baz, with the French rider struggling to get a good feeling during the morning session, but improving his pace in the afternoon. Only when he put fresh tyres in, the feeling took a turn to the worse again.

Tomorrow, both riders from Reale Avintia will be back on track with just one goal: the top ten in FP3. It will be tough, but both riders are confident about their Ducati’s performance in wet conditions.

Loris Baz | 1’57.259 | P20

“It was a difficult first day because although we like to ride in these rainy conditions, everything has been more difficult than normal. This morning, we haven’t found the right direction with the set up of the bike. Then in the FP2, I decided to go out with the same set of tyres from this morning and I felt it quite well, I had almost the same rhythm as the others with new rubber. But when I came in to get a new set of tyres, nothing worked the way it did before. We have to thoroughly check the bike and also check the tyres together with Michelin, because there simply was no grip. Coming in again for another tyre change was no option, because I knew that the number of tyres for the whole weekend is limited. Tomorrow we will try to enter Q2. We don’t have the same feeling as in Misano, but we will fight”.

Hector Barbera | 1’57.540 | P21

“The first day has been quite difficult, but in the morning the feeling was not bad, we got through the whole session with the same tyres. This afternoon we decided to make the bike harder, trying to improve my feeling, but the result was much worse. I was stiffer on the bike and I had a hard time making it turn. We tried to make it a little softer with the preload, but it wasn’t any better. We’ll go back to the base set up tomorrow and we will try to fight for a good position on the grid for Sunday’s race. The good thing is that we will have rain for the whole weekend and we can work more on the wet set-up for the race.”

More, from a press release issued by Movistar Yamaha:

MOVISTAR YAMAHA CONTINUE BATTLE WITH ELEMENTS IN FIRST JAPANESE FP SESSIONS

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi faced a wet start to the Motul Grand Prix of Japan weekend. The teammates secured 11th and 12th place respectively in the combined free practice results.

Motegi (Japan), 13th October 2017

Today Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi prepared for an intense weekend at the Twin Ring Motegi track. The teammates searched for grip in the rainy first free practice sessions and took 11th and 12th place respectively in the combined timesheets, ahead of Sunday’s Motul Grand Prix of Japan.

The weather was the biggest challenge for Viñales this morning. He found himself starting Yamaha’s home GP weekend in the pouring rain, and he had to up his pace gradually, careful not to cross the limit. Despite the treacherous conditions, which made it harder to get heat into the tyres and caused impaired vision due to the spray, he started working on his YZR-M1‘s setting. The Spaniard took ninth in FP1 with a 1‘56.917s best lap, 1.499s from the front.

The Yamaha Factory rider looked more confident during the second 45-minute session. Working on corner entry and minimising rear spin, he found a better pace, posting multiple 1‘57s laps to ultimately secure 11th place with a fastest lap of 1‘56.376s. He was again 1.499s from the leader and ended up in 11th position in the combined results.

Teammate Rossi took his time in FP1 to get up to speed at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit. The track‘s various heavy braking zones make it vital to get the tyres up to temperature. Despite still recovering from his leg injury, the nine-time World Champion made progress, especially towards the end of the session, and finished 19th with a lap of 1‘58.618s, 3.200s from first.

With the weather conditions barely improving for FP2, the Doctor made some changes to increase downforce. He started working on the feeling of the rear of his bike going into the corners, and was able to improve his time by more than two seconds to a 1‘56.435s by the end of the day. He finished less than 1.558s from the top, good for 12th position. The result also keeps him in 12th place in the combined times, ahead of tomorrow‘s sessions.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

We weren‘t expecting to face such difficulties today. Unfortunately, we struggled with a lack of rear grip, especially on corner entry, even though the grip level of the Motegi track is always good. Our performance level in wet conditions continues to be a point of improvement. We tried to solve this issue during today‘s wet sessions, but we didn‘t get the breakthrough we hoped for. Since we weren‘t ready to exploit the extra soft tyre, as we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy its full advantage, we decided against using it, also because of the small quantity that we were given. The weather conditions are expected to remain the same, so we‘ll continue to keep pushing in the rain, because we‘re eager to make a big step over the weekend for Sunday‘s race.

MAVERICK VIÑALES

It‘s been challenging throughout the year to be strong in the wet. We didn‘t find a good set-up so far. The gap to the front is quite big, so we have to try to better the setting of the bike to improve the rear grip. It‘s a pity, because the conditions weren‘t really tricky and the grip level of the track was good. We still have tomorrow‘s sessions to find a solution.

VALENTINO ROSSI

I’m in some pain, but it’s not a big problem. Unfortunately we struggle, because today we had two complete practices in the full wet and we could work on the setting, but both sessions were not fantastic. We are a bit in trouble, the bike is a bit difficult to ride and we don’t have enough rear grip, so it’s difficult. We hope that the conditions become better, or we try something tomorrow and we’ll see.

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:

CRUTCHLOW SATISFIED AFTER RAINY FIRST DAY IN MOTEGI

PRESS RELEASE: 13 October 2017 | Motegi GP Day One

After a three-week break, the MotoGP World Championship resumed today with the first of three flyaway races at the Twin Ring in Motegi. However, the weather at the Japanese circuit on Friday was far from ideal with heavy rain ensuring a tricky start to practice for the premier class riders. Indeed, LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow fell foul of the conditions as he suffered a dramatic fall, before recovering well to end the day in ninth position overall.

Crutchlow had performed impressively on the drenched track in FP1 but, towards the end of the session, lost control of his RC213V under braking and collided with the Ducati of Jorge Lorenzo. Fortunately, both men were able to walk away from the incident unharmed.

Further rain ensured FP2 was a similarly wet affair, although all the field managed to improve their morning times. In the end, a competitive Crutchlow claimed ninth spot, just behind fellow Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, with Andrea Dovizioso edging out the Spaniard’s team-mate Marc Marquez at the top of the timesheets.

Cal Crutchlow – 9th

(1’56.149 – lap 12 of 19)

“We had quite a good day today. I feel quite strong in the rainy conditions, but we need to improve the engine braking of the bike a little bit. The track has great grip and we worked very well as a team today, but unfortunately I put the new tyre on at the wrong time and didn’t improve my lap time towards the end of the session.

“I had an unfortunate incident with Jorge (Lorenzo) this morning that was a difficult situation, but I’m glad that we are both okay after it.”

More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:

 TOP TEN FOR BOTH IANNONE AND RINS IN MOTEGI FIRST DAY

Andrea Iannone: P7 – 1’55.614 +0.737

Alex Rins: P10 – 1’56.229 +1.352

It has been a positive day for the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR in Motegi, with both Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins into the top ten after the two free practice sessions. Both the riders were able to continue to improve throughout the practice sessions in the morning and in the afternoon, overcoming the difficulties caused by the rain. The Italian set his GSX-RR in 7th place thanks to the 1’55.614 lap time, while the young Spaniard grabbed 10th place with 1’56.229.

Both Iannone and Rins put new parts brought to the Motegi circuit by Suzuki’s engineers to the test. Of particular note was a new aerodynamic fairing that debuted in the morning on the #42 GSX-RR and then in the afternoon on the #29 machine.

As the weather was forecasted to be rainy for the whole weekend, the work done today with the setup can be considered successful. The team is hopeful to demonstrate consistency in these conditions which would allow them to make further improvements and to collect more important information for the race.

Davide Brivio – Team Manager

“Despite the bad weather it has been a good day, with both Andrea and Alex into the provisional top ten. We tried to make the most of these conditions to learn about the machine and make solid progress. It looks as if it’s going to be rainy for the whole weekend, which in someways is beneficial because it gives us consistent conditions in which to work. We also introduced a new fairing and both riders had positive reactions after their first go. Andrea had an encouraging day; he ran two good sessions and in particular in the afternoon, he stayed consistently in the top positions. Despite a minor problem with the engine that ocurred at the end of FP1, Alex was able to make real progress as well. In the end he owes his top ten position to the improvements he made in FP2. We still have room for improvement with the electronics and the FP3 will be crucial for this. We are here to be competitive for the qualifying.”

Andrea Iannone

“The day has been positive, probably one of our best Fridays. We worked hard with worn tyres, especially in the afternoon, getting solid and fast lap times. I have a good feeling about the GSX-RR. In the afternoon we applied some modifications to the bike that proved to be effective. We have to try to keep up the improvements like our competitors do. Tomorrow is going to be very important since we are still missing something. We still struggle when I push the limits of the bike, especially on a single fast lap, which will be important for the qualification. The pace, on the other hand, is not so bad. We are within the margin and the feeling of the bike is good. The thing we learned from the Aragon test that proved to be useful was the insight into problems which makes it easier to find solutions to try. “

Alex Rins

“In Motorland the test was quite good. It was very positive for us and we were able to test a lot of things. Here on the first day in Motegi, even on the wet track I had a good feeling. The new fairing we have keep the wheel on the ground more and we do not do as many wheelies. It is great that Suzuki is working very well. For tomorrow I hope to take another step forward even if it rains.”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

 Ducati Team riders get off to a great start in the Grand Prix of Japan: Andrea Dovizioso first and Jorge Lorenzo fourth after first day at Motegi

The two Ducati Team riders both had an excellent start to their Motegi weekend today in the GP of Japan. After the first day of free practice, which was held in the pouring rain and with an air temperature of 15° C, Andrea Dovizioso set the quickest time in 1’54.877 at the start of the second session, while his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo was classified fourth with a lap of 1’55.234.

This morning the Spanish rider was the victim of a spectacular crash, luckily without suffering any serious harm, when he was hit violently by the bike of Cal Crutchlow, who had crashed a couple of seconds earlier while braking for Turn 9.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1’54.877 (1st)

“I’m very pleased with my Friday performance here at Motegi because we started off really quick. We were in some doubts about the grip, but I already found a good feeling this morning, while this afternoon I confirmed my speed, and even more importantly, I did my best time immediately at the start of the session. We have got off to a really good start and we’ve already got a good base setting: now we have to work on the details because the rear tyre wear is quite substantial, even though we used the hardest tyre available.”

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99) – 1’55.234 (4th)

“Today it was raining a lot and the track was in a very difficult condition, but I’m quite satisfied because I’m up at the front, together with the quickest riders, and starting off as well as this on Friday is always a good sign. In the afternoon we improved the bike and I lapped with a good pace. This morning I was quite lucky because when Crutchlow’s bike hit me and I crashed, I could have been badly hurt. Luckily in the end, apart from a bang on the hand, it was nothing serious. As for tomorrow, if the weather is still the same, my aim will be to go in the same direction as today.”

More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:

ESPARGARÓ SECOND AND THIRD IN THE TWO FRIDAY SESSIONS

THE JAPANESE WEEKEND STARTS WITH A BANG FOR ALEIX AND HIS APRILIA RS-GP

On the first day of practice at Motegi, Aleix Espargaró and his Aprilia were protagonists. Immediately at ease on the Japanese track, wet from the light but constant rain, Espargaró was extremely fast from the first session.

Well supported by the features of his Aprilia’s chassis architecture, Aleix finished the morning FP1 session in second place with a time of 1’56.293 just 875 thousandths behind the leader, Marquez. He rode the entire session on the same tyres, looking not only for a good time, but also for the right settings in view of the race, a goal which convinced Espargaró to ride a good portion of the afternoon FP2 session on the same tyres used in the morning.

In the second free practice session, which he finished with a brilliant third place time, Espargaró improved even further, both in terms of time (1’55.061) and in terms of his gap behind the leader, this time contained to just 184 thousandths. This is the best weekend start for the fledgling RS-GP and for its rider and the timing of it, not by chance, comes right after a few races that demonstrated the Italian bike’s competitive level.

On the other side of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini garage, Sam Lowes also found a good feeling between the bike and the track conditions and, certain that he will be able to improve in the coming sessions, he preferred to work more on the setup, avoiding any pointless risks and finishing in 19th place in the combined standings of the two sessions.

ALEIX ESPARGARO’

“I am very happy. Every time we find good grip conditions, even in the wet, we are able to be fast straight away. I had fun today. In the final part of FP2 I really pushed to the limit, but when you are confident you are able to do that without taking too many risks. A mistake in the last sector kept me from aiming perhaps for first place, but in any case I am satisfied with the feeling and I think that we will be able to take home some nice satisfaction from this weekend.”

SAM LOWES

“My first day on this track with the MotoGP bike didn’t go badly. I am at ease on the RS-GP in the wet, but I preferred not taking risks in order to keep that good feeling. Tomorrow the conditions should be slightly better and I’ll be able to push more boldly. We definitely have the potential to get close to the top 10.”