Stefan Bradl finishes the first day of the Valencian Grand Prix in twelfth position. Álex Márquez, who escaped uninjured from two crashes, concludes Friday in 19th.
The Spaniard started the first day in Valencia inside the Top 15 in FP1. In the afternoon, Márquez suffered two crashes that meant he was unable to improve on his time from the morning, thus concluding the day in 19th overall with a best time of 1:31.371. Márquez finished the first day less than a second slower than the day’s quickest lap.
Stefan Bradl, who set the tenth fastest time in the morning, rounded off the day in 12th position. The German rider set a best time of 1:31.106, less than half a second off the top spot.
The weather forecast for the coming days is for better conditions than last weekend.
ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ – 19th 1’31.371
“The feeling today was really good, the 1’31.3 came quite easily and maybe this is why I had the first crash, I was pushing for a faster time and fell. But honestly, it was such a small crash I am not sure it even counts! The second crash was a typical cold tyre crash but unfortunately it meant that we couldn’t really improve on our final run of the day. Our end position is not great to look at, but our feeling is good and the times are very close – just one tenth and you gain a lot. We can be stronger tomorrow.”
STEFAN BRADL – 12th 1’31.106
“Today was quite good, we are close to the top ten and the bike is working well. Also I am riding well and we are faster already than last weekend. The aim for tomorrow is to try and push for the top ten, but it is super close this weekend so it will not be easy. We still have some work to do on the setting but I am happy and I think we can have another good day. Our potential is high and there’s more coming.”
