Aleix Espargaró was also fastest on Saturday morning during the third free practice session for the MotoGP class at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Spaniard broke the absolute lap record and was the fastest for four Ducati drivers.
On Saturday morning at 09:55 AM, the third free practice session for the MotoGP class started at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It was already quite warm on the Catalan circuit with lots of sun and an outside temperature of about 26°C.
After the drivers mainly used used tires in the early stages of the session in preparation for the race, the pace picked up considerably in the second part. A number of drivers already decided to fit a new soft-compound rear tire halfway through the session in order to set a fast lap time. In the final phase it is often more hectic and as soon as a yellow flag is waved, the round is not valid.
Aleix Espargaró was one of the drivers who started chasing his fast lap time early on and the Spaniard set a very impressive lap time. With a 1’38.771 he broke the existing lap record of Fabio Quartararó and it was the fastest lap ever on two wheels at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Johann Zarco eventually came second with Prima Pramac Racing teammate Jorge Martin behind in third. Pecco Bagnaia set the fourth fastest time for Ducati Lenovo teammate Jack Miller, putting four Ducatis in the top five. Ducati management had indicated on Friday that they have not yet made a choice regarding Jorge Martin / Enea Bastianini in the works team, but it is clear that Jack Miller will leave the Italian motorcycle manufacturer.
World Cup leader Fabio Quartararó came sixth in this third free practice session ahead of Luca Marini, Pol Espargaró, Alex Rins and Fabio di Giannantonio. Just outside the top ten, it was Maverick Vinales, Enea Bastianini and Joan Mir with Franco Morbidelli and Brad Binder among others who failed to finish in the top ten.
There were crashes in this session for Brad Binder (turn 4) and Pol Espargaró (turn 5). Both drivers were unharmed and would later get back on their machines.
An early spill for @BradBinder_41†
The South African was pushing hard on a PB lap!#CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/myJ4bsajQI
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
The latest rider to fall victim Turn 5!@polespargaro immediately starts running back for his spare bike!#CatalanGP pic.twitter.com/CmLJe134iJ
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) June 4, 2022
The MotoGP riders will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM for the half-hour free practice session followed by the two qualifying sessions.
Useful links Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya:
Timetable and full results
Where to follow on TV
photo report
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