Lorenzo Fastest In FP1

Aug 7, 2015
2 min read

MotoGP returned to action after their summer break at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Jorge Lorenzo ended the opening session of the tenth round of the MotoGP World Championship fastest after posting a lap time of 1:33.654. The Spaniard set that time on a used medium rear right at the end of the session, and set a run of consistently quick times to stamp his letter of intent to his rivals.

Marc Marquez encountered a few issues with his number 1 bike in the early part of the session, but was soon up to speed and challenging for top spot. He held it briefly, but dropped to 2nd on a 1:33.747. The Spaniard has stated that he will be sticking with the 2014 frame for the remainder of the season which served him well in the last 2 rounds. But his RC213V still isn't looking totally at ease with the 4.2-mile circuit, especially during the traction events of the final turn and turn 4.

Andrea Dovizioso completed the top 3, but set that time – 1:33.871 – on the soft rear tyre. So Ducati's true pace is yet to be revealed, and it looks like they will be third best factory team this weekend. Team-mate Andrea Iannone was a little further back in 6th and is riding with his shoulder still giving him issues.

Dani Pedrosa was 4th fastest. Unlike Marquez, Dani is still using the 2015 chassis and this might see him struggle as the weekend progresses. He was 3-tenths ahead of championship leader Valentino Rossi, but the Italian had his attentions focused on race pace. The Doctor is yet to reveal his hand to the table, so expect more to come from Rossi.

Pol Espargaro came into the first practice session with a big smile on his face; not only does he come into this weekend having won the Suzuka 8-hours with team-mate Bradley Smith, but he also now has a contract extension with Tech 3 Yamaha under his belt. The Spaniard ended the morning 8th, just 2-tenths shy of Cal Crutchlow. Smith was 16th.

Mike Di Meglio outshone the open runners in 9th, and Maverick Vinales completed the top ten.

FP1 Top 10:

1st Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:33.654

2nd Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:33.747

3rd Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:33.871

4th Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1:34.050

5th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:34.374

6th Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team, 1:34.380

7th Cal Crutchlow, CWM LCR Honda, 1:34.461

8th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:34.669

9th Mike Di Meglio, Avintia Racing Ducati, 1:34.794

10th Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:34.897