Jorge Lorenzo is back!

2015-05-01 17:02
Movistar Yamaha’s Lorenzo was a man determined to make amends for his poor start to the season, and finished both Free Practice sessions on top. The Spaniard set his fastest time in the morning, as FP2 saw riders focus more on their setups as they took advantage of conditions similar to the forecast for the race on Sunday.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Aleix Espargaro took advantage of the softer tyre available to him to finish just 0.049s behind Lorenzo in second. He also set his fastest time in the morning as track temperatures soared in the afternoon.

Reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez (+0.254s) sported a modified grip on his Honda RC213V, designed to ease the pain he is suffering from the fractured little finger on his left hand. Marquez, who made it an all-Spanish provisional front row, was clearly not that hampered by his injury, as he set the third fastest time of the day in the afternoon session.

Ducati Team’s Andrea Iannone (+0.337s) was in fourth, ahead of his teammate Andrea Dovizioso (+0.361s) as they showed just how competitive the GP15 is around the Jerez circuit.

The biggest surprise of the day was Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci finishing ahead of CWM LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow (7th) as the leading satellite rider in sixth. Crutchlow was third fastest in FP1, but ended the afternoon session in seventh after failing to improve on his time.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro was eight fastest overall, ahead of the current Championship leader Valentino Rossi. Rossi once again struggled in practice, finishing down in 13th in FP2, and ending the day in ninth overall, 0.698s behind his teammate Lorenzo.

Hector Barbera was the leading Open class rider on the Avintia Racing Ducati, as he impressed during FP1 alongside Stefan Bradl (13th), Loris Baz (14th) and Eugene Laverty (15th).


Rabat returns to form in Jerez

Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Tito Rabat confirmed his return to form during the first day of Free Practice in Jerez.

The Spaniard, riding in front of some passionate home support, topped FP1 with a 1’43.198. Although he could not improve his time during the afternoon session, it was good enough to remain on top of the overall timesheets at the end of the day.

Speed Up Racing’s Sam Lowes was second overall, just 0.136s behind Rabat, as he continued to impress, despite ending FP2 in seventh. Simone Corsi (+0.170s) on the Athina Forward Racing Kalex finished in third, as he was one of the few riders to improve their time in the afternoon session, in conditions that should be similar to what they will face during the race.

AGR Team’s Jonas Folger (+0.215s) set the fastest time in FP2 to end the day fourth overall, ahead of the current Championship leader Johann Zarco on the Ajo Motorsport Kalex, who finished in fifth.

Sandro Cortese was sixth on the Dynavolt Intact GP bike, with QMMF Racing Team’s Julian Simon in seventh. Belgian Xavier Simeon was in eighth, with Lorenzo Baldassarri (9th) and the returning Axel Pons (10th) rounding out the top ten.


Vazquez on top after day one in Jerez

Leopard Racing’s Efren Vazquez ended the first day of practice at the Circuito de Jerez on top, after setting his fastest time in FP1.
The Spaniard made the most of the home support to set a 1’47.088 in the morning session, and despite not being able to improve in FP2, his time was good enough to put him on top of the overall timesheets.

16-year-old Fabio Quartararo showed why his talent has everyone so excited, as he ended the day second overall. The Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider delivering on his potential at a circuit he has raced at before to finish just 0.168s behind Vazquez.

Husqvarna Factory Laglisse’s Isaac Viñales (+0.323s) was third, ahead of the current Moto3™ Championship leader Danny Kent (+0.333s) in fourth.

Ongetta-Rivacold’s Niccolo Antonelli finished the day in fifth overall, with Quartararo’s teammate and fellow rookie Jorge Navarro in sixth.

Up next were the three Red Bull KTM Ajo bikes of Karel Hanika (7th), Miguel Oliveira (8th) and Brad Binder (9th). Gresini Racing Team Moto3’s Enea Bastianini rounded out the top ten, with under a second separating the leading thirteen riders.

Source: MotoGP

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