Repsol Moto3 riders take a step forward in free practice and clock speedy times at Misano, in which Rins domnates and Marquez places third despite a small crash.
The San Marino GP could not have started better for Alex Rins, as he took the top spot in the combined free practice standings on day one at Misano. Teammate Alex Marquez was third overall, despite a small crash late in the day. In the morning run, Rins was fourth and Marquez fifth, in a session led by Maverick Viñales.
Improving the feeling with their KTM machines, Rins and Marquez took little time in snatching the top positions in the second practice session and kept amongst the top five throughout the afternoon. With a time of 1’43.457, Rins finished the day as the fastest rider, ahead of Viñales and teammate Marquez -who was 0.369 slower. Marquez suffered a crash in the final minute of FP2, losing the front of his KTM on entry to Turn 14. He received a blow to his right thumb, with the possibility of a fracture ruled out by the Clinica Mobile doctors.
Alex Rins >> Audio
FP1 – 1:44.641, 18 laps, 76 km.
FP2 – 1:43.457, 18 laps, 76 km.
“This first day of practice went well. In the morning session we didn’t manage to find a good setup, as I didn’t have a good feeling. In the afternoon we made some changes to the suspension and things were a lot better with the bike. We still need to improve a few things, but I think we are on the right track.”
Alex Marquez >> Audio
FP1 – 1:44.688, 17 laps, 72 km.
FP2 – 1:43.826, 18 laps, 76 km.
“In the morning session we found it a little hard, because the feeling with the bike wasn’t great. In the second session we took a big step forward; although I had a problem with the bike and was losing time in the final sector, I felt a lot more comfortable. On the final lap I pushed too hard and had a crash. My finger hurts a little, but right now the most important thing is to recover and cntinue working and improving tomorrow.”
