Marquez Tops Opening Session In Valencia

Nov 6, 2015
3 min read

Marc Marquez topped the opening session for the final Grand Prix weekend of the year in Valencia. The Repsol Honda rider posted a fastest time of 1:31.250 to go two tenths under the circuit record. The Spaniard has been in the eye of the controversy storm over the past week, but it seems none of it has affected his concentration. He certainly had his wits about him when a saved himself from another crash when the front tucked going through turn eight in the closing seconds of FP1.

Marquez' team-mate and the winner of two of the last three races, Dani Pedrosa, was third quickest on a 1:31.553. Marquez' long run consistency exceeded that of Pedrosa's, but Dani is still favourite for the victory on Sunday. Both Honda riders will be key players in the outcome of the 2015 World Championship, and after all the fallout from Sepang you can guarantee that neither will be out to help either of the Yamaha riders.

Jorge Lorenzo kicked off his title bid with the second fastest time of the morning, a 1:31.434, and is looking very relaxed amidst the current situation. Of course his job has been that tiny bit easier with his team-mate's grid penalty, but the Spaniard can't relent at any stage this weekend.

Valentino Rossi ended FP1 fifth with a 1:31.665, but this is academic as he will start from the back of the grid on Sunday after his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to have his penalty suspended was denied. But all is not lost for the Italian in his pursuit of title number ten. For the first time in 2015 he does not have to divert any attention towards his big weakness, qualifying, and can instead focus fully on the race.

Andrea Dovizioso was fourth for Ducati, stealing a tow from Rossi in the closing seconds to set a best lap of 1:31.642. Valencia has been a good track for Ducati in the past, and this bike seems to be working well here. Team-mate Andrea Iannone was seventh. Ducati, like Honda, also have the fate of this title battle in their hands because they can definitely get amongst the leaders at the start of the race if they can get off the line well.

Cal Crutchlow was eighth, with Pol Espargaro ninth and Yonny Hernandez rounding out the top ten. Stefan Bradl enjoyed a positive morning in eleventh on the Aprilia, with Danilo Petrucci, Michele Pirro, team-mate Alvaro Bautista and Mike Di Meglio completing the top fifteen.

FP1 Result:

1st Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:31.250

2nd Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:31.434

3rd Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team, 1:31.553

4th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:31.642

5th Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:31.665

6th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:31.892

7th Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team, 1:32.192

8th Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda, 1:32.260

9th Aleix Espargaro, Suzuki Team Ecstar, 1:32.359

10th Yonny Hernandez, Octo Pramac Racing Ducati, 1:32.412

11th Stefan Bradl, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, 1:32.514