Marquez Lays the Gauntlet In Misano FP1

Sep 11, 2015
3 min read

Marc Marquez led the way following the morning session at the resurfaced and re-profiled Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Repsol Honda have already tested the new tarmac back in July, and the word in the paddock is that Marquez was two seconds under the lap record. Though not quite on record pace this morning times tumbled significantly, with the Spaniard setting the benchmark of 1:33.328. Dani Pedrosa was 4th quickest on a 1:33.930.

Yamaha haven't had any running on the track prior to this weekend, so they come into the weekend somewhat on the back foot. Regardless, Jorge Lorenzo was 2nd fastest and just under 1/100 of a second slower than his RC213V-mounted compatriot. More ominously, Lorenzo and Marquez were able to lap seven times in the 1:33s. This is not good news for home favourite Valentino Rossi, who was 6th after the opening 45-minute free practice session. It's hard to read too much into the FP1 result as a fair measure of the pecking order for the weekend, and one has to assume that the Italian spent most of his time optimising race set-up as he looks to deny his team-mate the chance to narrow his advantage in the title race.

Michele Pirro is back this weekend as a wild card at a circuit he knows like the back of his hand. And the Italian used that knowledge to full effect to go 3rd quickest with a 1:33.797 and finish as top Ducati. Andrea Dovizioso was 5th and Iannone 10th, but that will change come FP2. This circuit will be Ducati's best chance of victory as they have had two test sessions at Misano already this season, but that will depend on how well they can manage their rubber on this highly abrasive tarmac.

The fight at Pramac will be an interesting one to keep an eye on, specifically on Danilo Petrucci's side of the garage as he is riding the GP14.2 for the first time this season. He finished 13th this morning whilst team-mate Yonny Hernandez was 16th.

The satellite battle is looking to be very close this weekend if FP1 is anything to go by. Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith, Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding were covered by two tenths. Smith is just five points behind the Ducati of Dovizioso in the Championship, but has Pedrosa bearing down on him with just a thirteen point gap between them.

Suzuki are in for a difficult weekend despite coming into it with some testing mileage under their belts. The nature of the track puts a lot of emphasis on horsepower and good acceleration. Because the GSX-RR lacks grunt and a seamless gearbox Suzuki are losing out a lot in places, and FP1 certainly shows that. Maverick Vinales was 14th and Aleix Espargaro only 19th.

Eugene Laverty was top open class runner on the Aspar Honda in 15th at a track he has won at in the World Supersport Championship.

Claudio Corti was the only faller. The Forward Racing rider had a very fast crash at turn nine, the bike barrel rolling onto the tyre barrier. Thankfully no one was injured.

FP1 Result:

1st Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:33.328

2nd Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:33.422

3rd Michele Pirro, Ducati Team, 1:33.797

4th Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1:33.930

5th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:34.015

6th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:34.086

7th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:34.094

8th Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:34.266

9th Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda, 1:34.282

10th Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team, 1:34.319

11th Scott Redding, EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda, 1:34.482