Maverick Vinales is the fastest, ahead of Aleix Espargaro for an Aprilia one-two that counts for little right now, but which is actually very significant. Also because in the afternoon it could rain. In third place Jorge Martin. Italians: Luca Marini seventh, Franco Morbidelli eighth, Marco Bezzecchi ninth, Francesco Bagnaia tenth, Fabio Di Giannantonio 12th. Only 15th Fabio Quartararo
March 31, 2023
It looked like it was going to rain from one moment to the next, instead the few drops that fell during the Moto3 and Moto2 have saved the MotoGP: it was possible to shoot for the whole 45 minutes with the gomme slick.
A turn as always complicated to decipher, but which gave one important confirmation: Apriliawhich here in 2022 had conquered the first historic success, it is very competitive even this year. Perhaps beyond expectations, con Maverick Vinales first (later forced to park his RS-GP on the side of the track, without petrol) e Aleix Espargaro second: great result!
All right, it doesn’t matter much, but it is actually very importantbecause he says that the RS-GP has grown further since last season and puts the two riders in conditions of tranquility in case of FP2 should it actually rain.
A first and second place come on different meanings: from Portugal, Vinales was ahead in all rounds; Espargaro “has inexhaustible strength”, as technical director Romano Albesiano says and proves that those who said that by now he had already given everything he could in 2022 are wrong.
Alex Marquez still fast
In third place, another Italian motorcyclethe Ducati by Jorge Martin, recovered well from last Sunday’s injury. It’s no surprise, while it’s somewhat of an effect to see Alex Marquez again in the top positions (fifth): with this bike, he is once again a two-time world champion.
Tenth Pecco Bagnaiawhich as always has used FP1 to get familiar with the track. From fifth to tenth place there are five Ducatis: in short, the DesmosediciGP is competitive here too.
Takaaki Nakagami, che sorpresa
The positive surprise is the quarto posto at Takaaki Nakagami: always in the last positions in the tests, in difficulty at Portimao, he did a sort of attack on time in the last outing, doing three laps – one tight – with a pair of new medium tyres.
It is true that the Japanese are at ease here, but the performance It is surprisingspecie considering that Alex Rins is 11th and Joan Mir even 18th (therefore last), with Alex also crashing in the final.
KTM got married
Step back in this session for the KTM, with Augusto Fernandez 13th, Jack Miller 14th and Brad Binder 16th. Among them, the Yamaha of Fabio Quartararovisibly annoyed a fine turno.
A smile, however, for Franco Morbidellicurrently in the 10: he is eighth.
At 20 in Italy the 60-minute FP2 of MotoGP, at 11pm live broadcast with Luca Boscoscuro to comment on what happened in Termas de Rio Hondo.
