More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Viñales leads a Yamaha lockout as action begins at Aragon
The Iwata marque lay down a marker at MotorLand, with Mir the closest man on the chase
Friday, 16 October 2020
Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) made it a 2-for-1 on Day 1 at the Gran Premio Michelin® de Aragon, the Spaniard fastest in both FP1 and FP2 to take full control on Friday. It was a Yamaha 1-2-3 overall though, with Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) a couple of tenths down and teammate Franco Morbidelli locking out the top three… the last man within half a second after a slightly ominous day from the Iwata marque. It was a tougher day for Ducati, as all Borgo Panigale machines remain outside the top ten and provisional entry to Q2.
FP1
Viñales started as he meant to go on as he topped a very cool FP1, with the session getting underway half an hour later due to low track temperatures. Once the sun had warmed MotorLand Aragon through a little more though, the Spaniard set a 1:49.866 to lead a Yamaha trio at the top and was the first man to set a sub-1:50 lap time with 15 minutes of the session left.
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo completed the top three, with Morbidelli less than a tenth off Viñales and Quartararo another two in arrears. Both crashed on Friday morning, however, Morbidelli first taking a tumble at Turn 14 and Quartararo doing the same at the end of the session at Turn 8. Both riders were up and ok.
Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also crashed in the session, going down at Turn 2 just before the halfway point, but the number 73 bounced back to end FP1 in a mighty fourth. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) completed the top five, around half a second off the top.
Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top ten.
Johann Zarco (Esponsorama Racing) also crashed, the Frenchman going down at Turn 14, and Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) crashed at Turn 2.
Some big names ended up a little down the order in FP1: Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) was P12, and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was in 17th by the flag.
FP2
The heat had risen to a more optimal 24 degrees as the MotoGP™ riders headed out for a crucial FP2, and sure enough, some riders immediately went faster. The Ducatis struggled to get a competitive lap time in FP1 but Dovizioso, his teammate Danilo Petrucci, Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) and Johann Zarco all went quicker than they did on Friday morning with just six minutes of the session played.
However, the Yamaha trio of Quartararo, Morbidelli and Viñales were all faster than the latter’s FP1 time and the goalposts had moved again. Morbidelli was then the first rider to go sub-1:49 this weekend, a 1:48.992 the Italian’s effort in the opening stages, with Yamaha leading the way from Alex Marquez as the rookie showed more great pace early on in the afternoon. Dovizioso too, the Italian in P5 with 15 minutes gone. Meanwhile, after catching out Zarco and Morbidelli in FP1, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed unhurt at Turn 14 – the front of his KTM washing away.
Mir then took over at the top, two consecutive fastest laps of the session putting the Spaniard three tenths clear of Morbidelli, before Viñales cut the gap to 0.140 with just over 20 minutes to go. Nakagami was then into the top two as less than two tenths split the leading four, with Quartararo down to P6 behind fifth fastest Alex Rins.
Everything would change again in the final stages of the session, however, with time attack mode engaged. Despite MotoGP™ FP3 kicking off half an hour later (10:25) on Saturday morning to allow the temperature to rise a little, it will still likely be cool and the last ten minutes of FP2 were therefore even more vital as riders eyed a place in Q2.
Quartararo shot first as he slammed in a 1:48.406 to take over at the top by 0.282, before going even faster again to see his advantage climb to 0.478 seconds. What did the competition have in response?
Viñales got close to get within 0.094, with Aleix Espargaro impressing to go P3 thereafter. It wasn’t over though, as Viñales then absolutely obliterated Quartararo’s time. The number 12 set a blistering 1:47.771 to move nearly half a second clear as Morbidelli got back up to P3, the FP1 pacesetters back at the top. On his final flying lap, Quartararo also improved but the Frenchman ultimately couldn’t get within two tenths of Viñales, so it was the latter who took opening day honours in Aragon. All three Yamahas on circuit – the absent Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) watching on from home after his positive COVID-19 test – made it an ominous first day of action.
By the end of the shuffle, it was Joan Mir closest on the chase. With one-lap pace traditionally a tougher challenge for the Hamamatsu factory, his speed will be encouraging and could set us up for a stunner on Sunday. Just behind him, Cal Crutchlow set his personal best time in his final run to move up to P5, the Brit once again impressing despite his ongoing recovery.
Aleix Espargaro ends FP2 and Day 1 in sixth overall as the Aprilia rider showed off some characteristic impressive pace at MotorLand, but it was a close run thing against younger brother Pol Espargaro as the KTM rider was forced to settle for seventh by just less than a tenth. That was impressive in itself too though, with the number 44 having suffered from injury at the track over the last two seasons and having experienced a little less track time than some.
A late lap to move back up into the top ten sees Alex Marquez end FP2 and Friday in eighth after his stunning fourth in FP1, the rookie fresh from a maiden podium, and it couldn’t really have been closer with Nakagami as the Japanese rider was forced down to P9 by just 0.001. Alex Rins completes the top ten, another good sign for Suzuki and a solid day for the truly, really local rider.
That leaves some names looking for a lot more in FP3, not least of all Championship challenger Dovizioso. The number 04 ends Friday in P13 despite a better start to FP2, and he was leapfrogged by Zarco in P11 and Tito Rabat (Esponsorama Racing) in P12. Behind Dovizioso comes Miller and behind him Petrucci, with Ducatis locking out P11 to P15, and Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) down in P19. The mission is a clear one for FP3.
Zarco suffered a second crash of the day as well, this time at Turn 2, with Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) also taking a tumble; the German at Turn 12.
That’s it from a chilly Friday in Teruel. Come back for more on Saturday as Ducati try and break into that top ten and the rest try to move the goalposts once again. The morning sessions get underway half an hour later so FP3 starts at 10:25 (GMT +2), but qualifying remains set to start at 14:10. Don’t miss it!
MotoGP™: the five fastest on Friday
1 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 1:47.771
2 Fabio Quartararo* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – +0.249
3 Franco Morbidelli* – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – +0.447
4 Joan Mir – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.730
5 Cal Crutchlow* – LCR Honda Castrol – Honda – +0.827
*Independent Team rider
Di Giannantonio leads Bezzecchi and Lowes on Day 1
The top trio are split by just a tenth on Friday, with Marini and Bastianini also moving back up the timesheets in Teruel
MB Conveyors Speed Up’s Fabio Di Giannantonio took Moto2™ top spot on Friday at the Gran Premio Michelin® de Aragon, the pace upped in FP2 as the Italian set a 1:52.748 to fend off second fastest Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) by just 0.045. FP1 pacesetter Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) finished P3 on the combined standings, although the Le Mans winner’s afternoon was slightly marred by a Turn 7 crash – rider ok.
FP1
Sam Lowes finished FP1 in charge, the British rider’s 1:53.391 enough to fend off Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) by 0.052 seconds. The gap had been up to eight tenths earlier in the session, but the German was able to cut that down and so was third fastest Di Giannantonio. The Italian was within 0.058 of Lowes in a tight top three.
Championship leader Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) set his personal best time on his final lap to leap up to P4, 0.189 off Lowes, with Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) completing the top five. Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing), despite an earlier run off, ended the session in sixth.
Joe Roberts (Tennor American Racing) started his weekend in P7, the last man within half a second of the top. Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP 40) put in a solid showing to take eighth, ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who completed the top ten.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) crashed at Turn 2 and he was the only faller in the session. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) suffered a bike problem at Turn 9.
FP2
The afternoon saw the top times tumble in Moto2™, but not for everyone in the field – unlike Moto3™ and MotoGP™. Di Giannantonio reigned by the end of play, the Italian pipping compatriot Marco Bezzecchi to the top by half a tenth after a late lunge. Before that, it was Bezzecchi vs Lowes for the fastest lap, the Brit holding it for most of the session before the Italian hit back. But ‘Diggia’ hit back last of all.
It was a great day for Edgar Pons (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) as the reigning European Moto2™ Champion finished P4, the Spaniard 15th after FP1 but improving his time by over a second to leap up the timesheets in the afternoon to sit 0.031 ahead of Championship leader Marini in the session and overall. Thankfully for Marini, there seem to be few effects from his huge Le Mans crash seven days ago and he’s right in the hunt to make amends in Aragon.
Just behind Marini, in the session and the standings, came Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team). ‘Bestia’ produced a superhuman save at Turn 2 in FP2 and finished the opening day in P6, climbing from a P11 finish in FP1. Marcos Ramirez’ (Tennor American Racing) early FP2 time sees the rookie place P7 after finishing FP1 in P22, beating Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) by just 0.001, with Martin and Roberts rounding out the top 10 in FP2 and overall.
Jorge Navarro is 11th by virtue of his FP2 time, with Schrötter P12 on the combined timesheets and the first man not to have improved – the German’s FP1 time quick enough to put him on the list of provisional Q2 entrants. Garzo was 13th quickest overall, with Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) rounding out those who stand to move through to Q2 as it stands.
That’s all from Friday, with all but a handful of riders across the class going quicker in FP2 than they did in FP1. Will Saturday morning shuffle the pack again? Find out at the later time of 11:25 (GMT +2) as Moto2™ take to the track for FP3.
Moto2™: the five fastest on Friday
1 Fabio Di Giannantonio – MB Conveyors Speed Up – Speed Up – 1:52.748
2 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex +0.045
3 Sam Lowes – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Kalex – +0.106
4 Edgar Pons – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – +0.269
5 Luca Marini – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex +0.300
Fernandez four tenths clear of Fenati on Friday
The Spaniard leads the way on Day 1 once again, ahead of Fenati and Arenas
The recent Friday form man was up to his old tricks at the Gran Premio Michelin® de Aragon. With a half second advantage by the end of the day, it’s Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on top once again, with Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in second. After a more muted morning session, Championship leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3) completed the top three as he moved up the timesheets in the afternoon.
There was also another key headline on Friday: Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) will be forced to sit the weekend out. The Italian must undertake a mandatory period of self-isolation after he was found to have been on a flight with a positive case of Covid-19. He has tested negative, but the self-isolation is a requirement of health authorities regardless – sidelining a Championship challenger for the weekend.
FP1
Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power) started the day on top as the South African beat winner last time out, Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46), to the top by three tenths. Binder struck late to deny the Italian too, setting his lap as the flag flew to bring FP1 to an end.
Vietti was the only rider within half a second of Binder’s 1:59.813 despite losing out late on. John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was 0.503 in arrears and third quickest.
Fernandez was fourth fastest in the morning, another half a tenth adrift of McPhee, with SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Niccolo Antonelli closing out the session in fifth. It was a strong showing for the Husqvarna duo of Alonso Lopez and Romano Fenati as the Sterilgarda Max Racing Team sat first and second in the early stages too, both bouncing back from their disaster/bad luck combo at Le Mans and eventually ending the session in sixth and ninth, respectively.
Second in the Championship Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) was seventh, starting off the weekend with a positive move up the timesheets after two tougher GPs, and points leader Albert Arenas was down in 13th. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was eighth, with rookie Yuki Kunii (Honda Team Asia) impressing to complete the top ten behind Fenati.
There were three incidents in the session: Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team) had a technical problem early on at Turn 7, Ryusei Yamanaka (Estrella Galicia 0,0) crashed at Turn 2 ten minutes later, and Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) went down at Turn 14.
FP2
With temperatures having risen significantly after a cold morning, the entire field were able to improve in the afternoon, ensuring the combined timesheets mirror those of FP2. Antonelli was the first man under the two minute barrier – something only Binder managed in the morning – but laptimes would drop from there on out. Fernandez was the man on the move, setting four fastest laps in a row in the latter part of the session.
Fenati maintained his form to end the day in second and Arenas was a key improver as he moved up to become the quickest Championship challenger overall, the Spaniard setting his quickest lap of the day on his final lap of the day. FP1’s fastest man Darryn Binder completes the top four, ahead of Suzuki by less than a tenth, with Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) within a tenth of the Japanese rider in turn as he moved up to end the day in sixth.
Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) ends Friday in P7 as he beat Ogura to it by just 0.011, but the Japanese rider continued his move forward after a couple of more difficult Grands Prix, well within the provisional Q2 entrants on Day 1. Vietti ends Friday in P9, with Alonso Lopez completing the top ten.
The final four on for provisional graduation to Q2 are Carlos Tatay (Reale Avintia Moto3), Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) – the sole crasher in the afternoon session, rider ok – and Antonelli… leaving John McPhee needing to move forward in FP3. Can the Brit do it? Find out on Saturday morning at the slightly later time of 9:30 (GMT +2).
Moto3™: the five fastest on Friday
1 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM 1:58.144
2 Romano Fenati – Sterilgarda Max Racing Team – Husqvarna +0.438
3 Albert Arenas – Solunion Aspar Team Moto3 – KTM +0.532
4 Darryn Binder – CIP – Green Power – KTM +0.545
5 Tatsuki Suzuki – SIC58 Squadra Corse – Honda +0.619
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
MAVERICK VIÑALES TOPS ARAGON GP FRIDAY FREE PRACTICE SESSIONS
Alcañiz (Spain), 16th October 2020
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales enjoyed a very successful opening day of the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragón race weekend. His strong liking for the MotorLand Aragón track once again showed in the FP2 session. He was the only rider to drop under the 1‘48s-mark, earning himself first place in the FP2 and combined free practice standings.
Viñales already had topped the FP1 rankings in the morning, and he continued the positive momentum in the afternoon. He gradually upped his pace throughout the warmer FP2, preparing for a mini time attack at the end of the session. He proved that the base set-up of his Yamaha is working well for him when he clocked a 1‘47.771s on lap 12/15. The hot lap put him at the top of the Friday timesheets, with a 0.249s margin over his closest rival.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
Of course, this is a very strange weekend for our team. We had the bad news yesterday that Valentino is not able to join us here this weekend. It‘s a situation that none of us ever even wanted to imagine, and he is dearly missed by the whole team. We all wish for Vale to return to good health quickly, and we hope to have him back on track with us as soon as possible. But until then we have to focus on the task at hand. We came here feeling quite optimistic that we could be strong this weekend, and so far we are on the right track. Maverick loves this circuit, and his pace is very strong, although the conditions were really cold and windy today. The number of crashes shows that it‘s quite tricky out there when you start pushing, but Maverick still felt comfortable with the bike, so this is very promising. We will continue to work hard this evening, because we‘re aiming to obtain a front-row qualifying result tomorrow.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
First of all, I want to say I‘m sorry for Vale that he can‘t be here. I wish him a quick recovery. Today was good. I’m quite happy because I think we did good lap times. Even if the track is not at its best, our lap times are pretty fast. The bike is working well from the first laps. We know this track is good for us, because it has a lot of flowing corners. We just needed to improve in a few corners and we did that today, which makes me very happy. Today it was also windy here, and usually the Yamaha is very stable even then. Our race pace is quite good. We still need some more time to understand the tyres, but I can do a 1’48s-rhythm, which is good. I hope tomorrow the temperatures will be a bit higher. Especially this morning the conditions were very tricky. It was so difficult to stay on the bike. We will use tomorrow’s sessions to try to be more consistent. I want to try to improve my riding style, because it’s still not perfect at the entire track, but I can make another step in FP3. Anyway, today we did a good job. Overall the feeling is very positive. Now we will focus on tomorrow.
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha SRT:
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT in top form at chilly Aragón
Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli end Aragon GP opening day second and third
After a slightly delayed start to Friday MotoGP action at MotorLand Aragón, due to the cold track temperatures, PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team’s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli showed that they are in top form once again. The pair ended day one of the Aragon GP second and third respectively.
Quartararo had a strong opening practice session, staying within the top-three places for the entirety of the 45 minutes. The Frenchman did experience a Turn 8 crash on his final flying lap, but still finished the session third with a 1min 50.142secs lap. Fabio stayed at the sharp end throughout FP2 and enjoyed a period of time at the top of the timesheets as well. His fastest time of 1min 48.020secs placed him second in the session, and overall.
Although Morbidelli’s FP1 session came to an early end, after a Turn 14 crash with just over eight minutes to go, the Italian ended the 45 minutes with the second fastest lap time: 1min 49.951secs. Immediately up to speed in the afternoon session, Franco placed his Yamaha YZR-M1 at the top of the timesheets in the early part of FP2. Come the end of the 45-minute session, Morbidelli’s 1min 48.218secs lap saw him end the session, and the day, third.
The MotoGP FP3 session will begin at 10.25am local time (4.25pm MYT) for Fabio and Franco tomorrow, with qualifying due to get underway at 2.10pm local time (8.10pm MYT).
Fabio Quartararo
2nd (1’48.020)
It was not an easy day, but it was quite positive: we had a strange crash in FP1, I’m still not completely sure why it happened, but FP2 was great. Tomorrow it looks like we will need to do some laps with the soft rear tyre; I think it could be a good option for the race because the rhythm is good, but not great. In general though, it was a positive day. I’m so happy that in the afternoon we had a great feeling with the front tyre, because it wasn’t there in the morning. I think tomorrow afternoon it will be important to not lose this rhythm, but also to make sure we are prepared for the race as well.
Franco Morbidelli
3rd (1’48.218)
It was a positive day for us and we have started the weekend well, in fact all Yamahas were on top! This morning the conditions were tricky, the temperatures were low and the wind was blowing quite a lot. We seem to suffer a bit less than others in these conditions though. I made a mistake this morning: I had a slow lap because of a yellow flag, then I started to push again too quickly and I crashed. Although we have a good lap time from today, I will still try to push tomorrow. I think we can improve because the weather forecast says the conditions should be slightly better and there will be more rubber on the track.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Alex Marquez heats up his pace at frigid Aragon
Increasing temperatures saw lap times drop throughout the day as the MotorLand Aragon circuit warmed. Alex Marquez showed top-ten pace in both sessions with Stefan Bradl building his base.
There was a delayed start to round 11 of the MotoGP World Championship with track temperatures showing at less than ten degrees for Free Practice 1, the opening session of the day subsequently delayed by half an hour. Conditions did improve to allow uninterrupted running after the delayed start.
The cold morning got off to a solid start for Alex Marquez, able to run within the top ten for much of the first session. Alex was victim to the classic Aragon Turn 2 crash during FP1, the MotoGP rookie walking away unharmed. Bouncing back from his fall, Alex ended the morning as the fourth fastest rider with a solid final lap. Speed at the end of the session continued for Alex, the Repsol Honda Team rider setting a 1’48.823 on his final flying lap of Free Practice 2 to defend his position in the top ten. Both sessions demonstrated consistent speed with late flashes of one-lap pace from the Le Mans podium finisher.
Friday proved to be a busy day for Stefan Bradl who went about adjusting the setup of his Repsol Honda Team RC213V to the Aragon circuit. A fall at Turn 12 with 15 minutes of the FP2 session remaining saw Stefan Bradl walk away unharmed, able to quickly return to the Repsol Honda Team garage. Completing a total of 34 laps around the 5.1-kilometre-long circuit, the HRC test rider set a best time of 1’50.091.
Cal Crutchlow ended the day in fifth, the fastest of the Honda RC213V machines. Crutchlow, Alex and Takaaki Nakagami in ninth made it three Hondas in the top ten once again.
Timings for morning sessions on Saturday and Sunday have been revised due to the forecasted cold temperatures. Free Practice 3 on Saturday will start half an hour later at 10:25 Local Time with Warm Up rescheduled to 10:00 on Sunday. The race is still set to begin at 14:00 Local Time.
Alex Marquez
8TH 1’48.823
“I felt good today on track, it’s a circuit I really like, and I normally feel very comfortable here with my riding style. The Honda is also quite good here. I had a rookie crash in the morning but in the afternoon, we managed everything quite well and we tried some different options for the front. Tomorrow morning, even with the delay, I think it will be tricky to improve our lap time with the expected temperature, so I was working a lot in FP2 to put myself in a strong position to fight for Q2. I did a good last lap and I am pleased with how it went but you never know in MotoGP! Let’s see what happens in FP3 tomorrow.”
Stefan Bradl
20TH 1’50.091
“Well today was a little bit tricky, first in the morning it was very cold which stopped us doing some of the things we had planned. In the afternoon, the conditions were better but I had a very strange crash. I need to look at the data to understand what happened better, I am physically OK though which is the most important. Let’s see what tomorrow brings, hopefully the conditions will improve, and we can get through what we need to in FP3 and FP4. There’s some work to do, but I am confident we can do it. There were three Hondas in the top ten, so the bike is working well here.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
ALEIX SIXTH ON THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE AT ARAGÓN
Despite temperatures that were anything but summery, so much that FP1 was delayed to let the Spanish asphalt warm up a few degrees, Aleix confirmed his feeling and the Aprilia RS-GP’s on the MotorLand de Aragón track.
On the first day of practice, he took sixth in the combined standings, a result clinched by in the second part of the FP2 session. A nice start in view of qualifying.
With a rather solid pace in the various conditions, Bradley Smith seemed less incisive in terms of a flying lap.
ALEIX ESPARGARO’
“This morning was the only time in my MotoGP career I’ve been worried, seeing the asphalt temperature. With this bike and the power we have available, it is really difficult and I thought delaying FP1 was definitely the right thing to do. In the afternoon, things more or less got back to normal and I was able to go fast, but I’m not sure that my time will guarantee pre-qualifying for Q2. Knowing the riders, I’m sure that at the end of FP3 tomorrow, everyone will try a time attack and the standings will change. In any case, I am optimistic. On this track, the Aprilia RS-GP expresses itself extremely well.”
BRADLEY SMITH
“Conditions today, especially in FP1, were rather difficult. With such low temperatures and with the added factor of the wind, nothing seems to work as it should. Things improve in the afternoon, but the difference between the two sessions is enormous. It will be something to discuss, since we’ll most likely find similar conditions for the upcoming races as well.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
SUZUKI GOING STRONG ON DAY ONE IN ARCTIC ARAGON
Motorland Aragon in Spain plays host to Round 11 of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship this weekend, and the technical track is proving tough with very chilly temperatures in the mornings around the desert-like terrain.
FP1 was delayed to allow time for the circuit to warm up to a safer temperature. Team Suzuki Ecstar’s riders, Joan Mir and Alex Rins, took a careful approach to the morning’s proceedings, allowing time to get to grips with the feel of the track. However, both riders found themselves able to set strong lap times with their GSX-RRs, with Mir placing himself well within the Top 10 and closing FP1 in sixth, while Rins was close by in ninth.
Friday afternoon’s FP2 was much warmer, making it the candidate to split the Top 10 for tomorrow’s qualifying given the likelihood of another chilly start on Saturday. Rins was quick to get into the Top 3 before switching his focus to settings for the mid-part of the session and pushing again towards the end. He worked hard to ensure a place inside the Top 10 with provisional passage to Q2, bringing his lap times down by two seconds compared to the morning and taking 10th. Mir also set about putting a string of laps together, working on tyres and setup ahead of race day. This paid off as he maintained a spot in the Top 5, closing the session in a great fourth, also shaving two seconds off his best lap of the morning.
Saturday’s FP3 sessions will be pushed back by 30 minutes, with MotoGP starting at 10:25 local time.
Davide Brivio – Team Manager:
“It’s been a positive day. This morning the conditions were complicated with such cold temperatures – it was easy to make mistakes so we kept calm and focused on settings. In the afternoon we could work much more effectively thanks to the warmer weather, so we focused on bike settings and tyres. Joan had good lap times and things are looking promising. Alex did well to stay in the Top 10, which is important for tomorrow. There’s some room to improve in terms of setup but we’re feeling happy and ready for tomorrow.”
Joan Mir:
“I’m happy and feeling positive with what I’ve done today, the team and I have started in a good way and we’re working from a good base so I feel great. My potential is really good but we need to do a bit more work and improve further, as well as assessing the tyre choice again. Today wasn’t easy for anyone with the conditions, but we’re hoping that with warmer temperatures tomorrow the feeling will get even better.”
Alex Rins:
“My target today was to be inside the Top 10, and I managed to do that but only just. I made a few mistakes when trying to set my fastest laps, but I know I have good pace so I feel confident about tomorrow. This morning it was really cold and it was quite tough. I rode very cautiously to try and stay safe and learn how to manage it. I think tomorrow will be a little easier and I’m looking forward to it.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
CRUTCHLOW FIFTH FASTEST ON OPENING DAY IN ARAGON
Cal Crutchlow picked up where he left off in France as he was straight back on the pace in the opening free practice sessions for the Aragon Grand Prix. Although he failed to finish last Sunday’s race at Le Mans, the LCR Honda CASTROL rider showed his speed all weekend and was amongst the frontrunners again in Spain on Friday as he ended in fifth place overall.
With freezing cold conditions complicating matters for the premier class riders, Crutchlow made a sound start in a delayed FP1 session as he posted the ninth fastest lap. Times improved in FP2 as things warmed up a little and Crutchlow ensured he was well-placed ahead of qualifying on Saturday by going fifth quickest, ending as the leading Honda rider.
Cal Crutchlow – 5th
(1’48.598)
“It was really cold here in Aragon today. Obviously, we had a delay to the first session which I think was the right decision given the Grand Prix bikes and the Michelin tyres characteristics. It seems very difficult to get heat into them which we know from experience over the years, so the race direction did a good job. Once the sessions got underway I felt quite good, I was comfortable enough and quite confident with the bike, although it was shaking a lot moving around and we need to improve that area for tomorrow. We’re a long way off the lap times of a normal race weekend because of the temperature, but it was a good day for the team and we look forward to tomorrow now.”
More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing:
Aragon GP – Difficult day for Pramac Racing, Jack P14 and Pecco P19 in the combined standing
First day of activity at MotorLand Aragon, Jack and Pecco finished in fourteenth and nineteenth position respectively in the combined standing. Jack Miller after being the fastest Ducati rider in the first free practice session during the FP2 improved his time by almost two seconds but was not enough to enter in the top ten. The Australian rider finished in P14 with his best time time of 1:49.026. Pecco Bagnaia despite with his Ducati touched the top speed of the track at 351.8 km/h had the same difficulties as his teammate. The Italian rider closed the day in P19 with a time of 1:49.488.
Pecco Bagnaia
We weren’t expecting to be so far behind in a track that usually Ducati is very competitive. With this cold condition of the track I couldn’t warm up the tires and this was the reason why I was very slowly. During FP2 I felt better with the bike with Medium tires and in only 3 laps I improved my chrono ( 1.7).
Jack Miller
Not the best way to start, I did some good laps, but we struggled with the wind and this morning it was very cold. Tomorrow the weather conditions should be better and we will certainly have more chances to do well.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
TAKA INSIDE TOP 10 ON DAY ONE IN ARAGON
Takaaki Nakagami made a solid start as free practice for the Aragon Grand Prix got underway amid chilly conditions in the north-east of Spain. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider was inside the top 10 in both sessions on Friday and eventually finished in ninth position in the overall standings.
The morning’s FP1 was initially delayed because of the cold but, when the action started, Nakagami responded well to claim fifth place. Although temperatures rose for FP2, gusty winds still made life difficult for the riders and Nakagami battled hard for ninth – finishing just three tenths behind Suzuki’s Joan Mir in fourth.
Takaaki Nakagami – 9th
(1’48.824)
“Today the conditions were a bit tricky, especially in FP1 when it was very cold. In FP2 it was slightly better conditions, but the track temperature was very low and there were strong winds. We are inside the top 10 and overall it was not a bad start, but we need to check the data to see where we can improve and understand in which sector we are losing most time. But my general feeling on the bike was quite nice and the pace was good, so tomorrow we need to work out our race tyre option because with a soft compound on the rear we had good grip but we don’t know if it will work for race distance, so we’ll check that in FP4.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati:
Aragon GP: first day of free practices affected by the cold weather. Dovizioso closes thirteenth at the end of the first two sessions. Petrucci ends with the fifteenth time overall
Low temperatures and strong winds made difficult the first day of free practices of the MotoGP Aragón Grand Prix held this weekend at MotorLand Aragón.
The first two free practices sessions of the Aragon GP, scheduled this weekend at MotorLand Aragon in Alcañiz, were affected by low temperatures and cold wind, forcing the Race Direction to delay the start of FP1 this morning, to allow the asphalt to reach at least 12 degrees before welcoming the MotoGP riders on the track.
In FP1, characterized by several crashes, Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci took to the track without pushing, leaving to the afternoon session their search for the best lap times. In FP2, with the temperatures of the tarmac reaching the 23 degrees, the Ducati Team riders were finally able to ride with the same conditions that they will find on Sunday in the race.
Seventeenth at the end of FP1, Andrea was able to improve his morning lap time by more than 2 seconds in the afternoon session, closing the day with the thirteenth time overall in 1:49.015. Danilo finished 15th with a time of 1:49.107, just a few thousandths of a second from his teammate.
Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 1:49.015 (13th)
“It was a pretty difficult day because of the cold weather and the strong wind. With our bikes, we struggle a bit to warm up the tyres with these cold temperatures. This morning we weren’t able to do much during the first session, while in the afternoon, we started our work ahead of Sunday’s race. Tomorrow the wind should calm down, and so we hope to be able to make good use of the time available to make further steps forward.”
Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – 1:49.107 (15th)
“The conditions today were particularly difficult due to the low temperatures and the wind. The feeling with the bike is good, but we still have to find the right setup for this weekend. Temperatures should be similar tomorrow, but the wind should stop, and that could help us. We don’t have much time, but all in all, we are close to the firsts, so I am confident that we can improve on tomorrow.”
The Ducati Team riders will return to the track tomorrow at 10:25 AM local time (GMT +2.00) for the decisive session of FP3, while qualifying will be held according to the usual schedule, starting from 2:10 PM local time, after FP4.
More, from a press release issued by Esponsorama Racing:
THE ESPONSORAMA RACING FINISHES THE FIRST DAY OF THE ARAGON GRAND PRIX SATISFACTORILY
Johann Zarco and Tito Rabat finished in eleventh and twelfth positions respectively on the first day of free practice for the Aragon Grand Prix.
The first free practice was delayed by 30 minutes due to the low temperatures on the track. Despite this, Tito Rabat set a time of 1.51.581, only three tenths slower finished Johann Zarco after suffering an inconsequential crash at Turn 14.
In the afternoon, both riders fought for the top 10 during the practice. Johann Zarco, although he suffered a crash at turn two, finished in eleventh with a time of 1.48.906. One tenth behind is Tito Rabat in twelfth position.
Tomorrow from 10:25 will take place the last free practice and qualifying sessions of the Aragon Grand Prix where Esponsorama Racing will fight for the best possible grid positions.
JOHANN ZARCO – P11
“I am disappointed with today because I have had two crashes due to the cold. Angry, because the objective this afternoon was to be among the top ten, because I think that tomorrow in FP3 we will not be able to lower today’s times. In Q1 we will do our best to get a good lap and fight for the front lines of the grid”
TITO RABAT – P12
“It has been a very positive day, both in the morning and in the afternoon. Let’s hope that tomorrow we can improve a little, even if it is cold, since the forecasts say that it will be less windy “
