Rain was expected, but the sun is shining on Phillip Island, even if the MotoGP riders had to deal with a track that was still not very fast in the first free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix, due to some sections in which there continues to be some wet streaks on the asphalt.
At the end of a session that saw the group break between those who mounted a new tire in the final and those who instead decided to wait for FP2 to do so, in the end it was Johann Zarco, who with the Ducati of the Prima Pramac Racing lapped in 1’30 “368.
The Frenchman was 91 thousandths ahead of the other Desmosedici GP of the newly married Jack Miller, who on his home track seems determined to make his mark. Among those who have climbed the rankings using the new tire is certainly Alex Marquez, who even climbed up to third place with the Honda of the LCR Team, just 125 thousandths from the top.
Also good the fourth time of the Suzuki of Alex Rins, who closes a very close leading quartet. Completing the top 5, albeit slightly more detached, is Aleix Espargaro, who finished more than three tenths despite having mounted a new tire on his Aprilia in the final, after having appeared to be in some difficulty previously.
Sixth time then for Enea Bastianini, so at the moment among the title contenders the two furthest behind are the favorites: Pecco Bagnaia closed with the eighth time at seven tenths, while Fabio Quartararo is even 12th, despite having been slower just one-tenth compared to Ducati’s rival. It must be said, however, that both continued with the same tire until the end. And in terms of pace they are among those who have shown the best things.
Between Bastianini and Bagnaia, in seventh position, there is room for Marc Marquez’s Honda. And it must be emphasized that the eight-time world champion has made his debut on the RC213V some fins very similar to those from some races to this part he mounts the Ducati on the tail. Furthermore, until the time attack began, it was # 93 who commanded the group, followed by teammate Pol Espargaro, 11th at the end.
At the moment rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, who occupy the ninth and tenth position respectively, would also be qualified for Q2. So, on a track that was historically difficult for her, there are six Ducatis in the top ten positions of this FP1.
Said of the 12th time of Quartararo, a little further back we find the other Aprilia of Maverick Vinales, 14th, which is another of those who continued with the used tire. Joan Mir is in his wake, finally back on his Suzuki after an ankle injury remedied in Austria. The picture of our home riders is then completed with the 19th time of Franco Morbidelli’s Yamaha and the 22nd time of Luca Marini’s Ducati.
Also noteworthy is the close encounter with a wallaby, a small kangaroo, which several riders had in the early stages of the session, finding it jumping across the track, but fortunately managing to avoid it all.
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