We have always said that the Sachsenring is a black beast for Ducati. Here, the first free practice session of the MotoGP Grand Prix would give the feeling that the time has come to put this preconception aside, because in front of everyone there are the two Desmosedici GPs of the Factory Team, but the contingent of Borgo Panigale has brought even five bikes in the top nine.
In a session that, also thanks to one of the shortest tracks in the World Championship, saw the beauty of 15 bikes enclosed in the space of less than half a second, the fastest was a revived Jack Miller. The Australian seems to have finally put behind the problems that tormented him at Mugello and Barcelona and has lined up everyone with a time of 1’31 “479.
Despite a problem with the throttle that did not offer the usual grip, Pecco Bagnaia also started the German weekend very well, finishing just 15 thousandths from the future KTM driver. Both Reds, however, must guard their backs from the “usual” Fabio Quartararo, because the leader of the world classification, who worked with the new Yamaha swingarm, pays just 78 thousandths in third position.
As mentioned, however, there are many Ducatis that have shone in this FP1 and we cannot fail to underline the excellent fourth time at 176 thousandths of Johann Zarco, who at present occupies the same position also in the World Championship. Luca Marini also confirms his growth process, seventh with the Desmosedici GP branded Mooney VR46, while Jorge Martin finished ninth, despite his right hand is still quite sore after the carpal tunnel operation.
As for the Ducatisti, Enea Bastianini is therefore missing. The driver of Gresini Racing did not go beyond the 16th fastest time, 578 thousandths behind. A complicated weekend is expected for him, given that his technical boss Alberto Giribuola is at home with COVID-19, even if he will be in constant connection with the box of the team from Faenza.
Returning to scroll through the rankings in the top positions, to complete the top 5 there is the first of the Hondas, which is that of Takaaki Nakagami. The standard bearer of the LCR Team is still a bit sore in his shoulder after the Barcelona carom, but he hasn’t given it too much to see, given that he is only 181 thousandths from the top.
His box mate Alex Marquez, author of the tenth fastest time, also surprised positively, while it was a turn to forget for the two official RC213Vs: Pol Espargaro is only 12th, but above all he crashed twice at turn 1. Stefan Bradl , who replaces the unavailable Marc Marquez, is actually 22nd instead.
You have to go down to sixth place to find Aleix Espargaro, even if the Aprilia rider finished with just 186 thousandths. The Noale manufacturer has decided to homologate the new revolutionary aerodynamic look tested in the Barcelona tests and this morning both the Granollers driver and Maverick Vinales used it, who set an 11th time which at the moment would force him to take part in the Q1 for a handful of thousandths.
A different speech instead for Andrea Dovizioso, who we could indicate as one of the revelations of the morning. Despite having crashed at turn 1, the rider of the Yamaha RNF managed to set a good eighth time in the final, less than two tenths behind the other M1 of Quartararo. Franco Morbidelli, on the other hand, is more in difficulty, only 14th at 460 thousandths.
Curiously, the Italian rider is between the best of the Suzuki, that of Joan Mir, and the best of the KTM with Brad Binder. These two brands, therefore, also seem to suffer on the German track, despite the fact that last year Miguel Oliveira was able to fight for the victory. This morning, however, the Portuguese is only 18th, ahead of Alex Rins, who with the crash at turn 1 does not seem to have worsened the conditions of his fractured wrist in Barcelona.
To complete the picture of the Italian drivers, the 17th time made Fabio Di Giannantonio the best rookie on the track. After the excellent performances of the latest outings, Marco Bezzecchi started a bit quietly, only 20th.
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