Submitted by David Emmett on
Jorge Lorenzo sits atop the timesheets after the first day of practice for the MotoGP class, the Factory Yamaha rider having controlled the afternoon session with ease, smashing the Barcelona race lap record in the attempt. Yamaha riders had a monopoly over the top of the timesheet for much of the session, with all 4 Yamahas sitting in the top 5 at one point. But times tumbled towards the end of the session, allowing a few interlopers to intervene.
San Carlo Gresini's Alvaro Bautista grabbed the 2nd spot, two tenths of a second behind Lorenzo, the Spaniard posting a strong performance throughout FP2. The Monster Tech 3 Yamahas followed, Cal Crutchlow staying ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, while Pramac Ducati's Hector Barbera inserted himself between the Tech 3 bikes and Ben Spies to grap 5th. Spies, who had a good session throughout, found himself in 6th, just ahead of Dani Pedrosa, the first of the factory Hondas. Both Pedrosa and Casey Stoner (10th) failed to make an impact, though both stuck with the harder option tires which may have had an effect. Stefan Bradl bagged 8th place, while Nicky Hayden took 9th, and was the last rider to finish within a second of Lorenzo.
Results:
| Pos | No. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff | Diff Previous |
| 1 | 99 | Jorge LORENZO | YAMAHA | 1'42.099 | ||
| 2 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | HONDA | 1'42.306 | 0.207 | 0.207 |
| 3 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | YAMAHA | 1'42.447 | 0.348 | 0.141 |
| 4 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | YAMAHA | 1'42.592 | 0.493 | 0.145 |
| 5 | 8 | Hector BARBERA | DUCATI | 1'42.639 | 0.540 | 0.047 |
| 6 | 11 | Ben SPIES | YAMAHA | 1'42.802 | 0.703 | 0.163 |
| 7 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | HONDA | 1'42.870 | 0.771 | 0.068 |
| 8 | 6 | Stefan BRADL | HONDA | 1'42.943 | 0.844 | 0.073 |
| 9 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | DUCATI | 1'43.057 | 0.958 | 0.114 |
| 10 | 1 | Casey STONER | HONDA | 1'43.134 | 1.035 | 0.077 |
| 11 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | DUCATI | 1'43.341 | 1.242 | 0.207 |
| 12 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | DUCATI | 1'43.538 | 1.439 | 0.197 |
| 13 | 41 | Aleix ESPARGARO | ART | 1'44.738 | 2.639 | 1.200 |
| 14 | 14 | Randy DE PUNIET | ART | 1'44.771 | 2.672 | 0.033 |
| 15 | 51 | Michele PIRRO | FTR | 1'45.631 | 3.532 | 0.860 |
| 16 | 5 | Colin EDWARDS | SUTER | 1'45.868 | 3.769 | 0.237 |
| 17 | 68 | Yonny HERNANDEZ | BQR | 1'46.450 | 4.351 | 0.582 |
| 18 | 22 | Ivan SILVA | BQR | 1'46.500 | 4.401 | 0.050 |
| 19 | 54 | Mattia PASINI | ART | 1'46.503 | 4.404 | 0.003 |
| 20 | 77 | James ELLISON | ART | 1'46.836 | 4.737 | 0.333 |
| 21 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | IODA | 1'47.436 | 5.337 | 0.600 |
Comments
Hard Tyres
According to Davide Brivio... Pedrosa, Stoner and Rossi all elected not to use soft tyres in this session.
I don't think the Honda's were struggling.
Correct - Hondas were not struggling
Spies set the best time on hard tyres (1min 42.802 sec), second would be Dani 1 min 42.870 sec, Casey would be 3rd or 4th 1 min 43.134 sec.
More and more I wonder where
More and more I wonder where Spies will end up next year, as Cal is making it clear he intends to be Lorenzo's teammate next year.
not exactly
Soft tires vs hard tires, so the difference doesn't mean much. Reports indicate Spies, Pedrosa, Stoner and Rossi spent the entire session on the hard tires, while everyone else mounted softs at the end. The soft will be used for qualifying, but the heat will probably make the hard tire the race option.
Mixed sessions
There is a test on Monday I hear. May as well take advantage on Friday to do a little prep/data work.
Cutting it fine to some extent. Look forward to qualifying.
According to Brivio. God bless him. Its been a long old while since anyone took the time to take notice. What exactly is his Ducati profile these days ?
Meanwhile George continues to cover all the bases wet or dry. Soft and hard.
He's not bothered about whomever his team mate may be next year.
A QUESTION OF TEMPERATURE?
Stoner said after Le Mans the Hondas take a few laps to get good temperature into the rear tyre. BUT, in FP at Catalunya, track temp was 39 degrees and the FACTORY Hondas were 1-2. In FP2, track temp was 51 degrees and Yamahas were all up front. Then in FP3, it was 36 degrees on the tarmac, and the FACTORY Hondas were 1-2 again. What gives David?
Meantime, to all those who think Jorge will stay with Yamaha, WAIT. He will decide - once he has seen the merits of the Honda and Yamaha over the full season. He knows the Hondas have problems, but if they are sorted by season's end, guess where he will go...
Now, it is also TT week and word is the English government's health cutbacks mean there are no ICU beds available at Noble Hospital. Forgive me for asking, but don't the riders bring a lot of revenue into the Isle of Man? One wonders if that model of humanity, Vernon Cooper, is not back in charge. Just think, for MotoGP there has to be a high class emergency crew, at the TRACK! But at the TT, no such considerations. Which has more run off room? Rule Britannia ...