mugello

Italian MotoGP, Mugello - Free Practice (2) Results Francesco Bagnaia emerged as the surprise pace setter in second free practice for the Italian MotoGP at Mugello, with

Free Practice (2) results from the 2019 Italian Moto2 Grand Prix, round 6 of 19.

Free Practice (2) results from the 2019 Italian Moto3 Grand Prix, round 6 of 19.

Marquez fastest during opening practice for the Italian MotoGP at Mugello, ahead of Ducati riders Petrucci and Pirro.

Italian MotoGP at Mugello - Free Practice Results (1)

Free Practice (1) results from the 2019 Italian Moto2 Grand Prix, round 6 of 19.

Free Practice (1) results from the 2019 Italian Moto3 Grand Prix, round 6 of 19.

Mugello's record 356.5km/h (221.5mph) main straight would be daunting enough if it were a flat, straight line. Instead it has a slight kink with, most significantly, an up and downhill rise - which at maximum MotoGP speeds becomes like a jump.

Andrea Dovizioso insists his upcoming DTM debut will not be a distraction from MotoGP. The double title runner-up will make a one-off outing at Misano next month, testing the Audi touring car at the same circuit prior to arriving at this weekend's Italian MotoGP.

Jack Miller made headlines last week when he turned up at the Circuit de Catalunya to ride a Ducati V4 Superbike.

MotoGP doesn't do street circuits and therefore has no obvious equivalent of the legendary Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Assen is undoubtedly the most historic venue on the motorcycle GP calendar, being the only surviving venue from the inaugural 1949 season.

With three wins from five races and early lead of the Moto2 World Championship, Lorenzo Baldassarri is making a strong case for stepping up to MotoGP in 2020.

He may be the only non-Italian riding a Ducati GP19 on the manufacturer’s home soil this weekend but Jack Miller is confident he can get amongst the local celebrations at Mugello.

Though it is the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano that is often regarded as the ‘home’ venue for Valentino Rossi, the man himself admits competing at Mugello for the Italian MotoGP is just that bit ‘more special’ to him.

Ahead of his 300th grand prix, Andrea Dovizioso is confident Ducati has the form to make it a hat-trick of home wins at Mugello for the Italian MotoGP, even if he expects harder challenge from rivals this year.

MotoGP leader Marc Marquez is expecting Repsol Honda to pose a greater threat for Ducati in front of its home supporters at the Italian MotoGP in Mugello despite struggling in recent years.

Alex Rins says resolving Suzuki’s recent slump in qualifying will be key at the Italian MotoGP as he looks to bounce back from an underwhelming race at Le Mans.

"Tyres and electronics are the main areas that influence results" in MotoGP, despite the use of a spec ECU and single tyre supplier.

Chatting in the paddock on Saturday evening at Mugello last year, after Valentino Rossi had become the oldest rider to claim pole position in the premier-class since Jack Findlay in 1974, one of his mechanics said:

Ducati, which kick-started the modern era of MotoGP winglets in 2015, has opened a temporary 'Anatomy of Speed' exhibition at its Bologna museum to highlight the key role of aerodynamics 'as a technological ingredient which rewrites the notion of performance'.

Rookie Joan Mir 'can't wait' to experience the exciting Mugello circuit, which includes the fastest straight of the season, on MotoGP machinery this weekend.

After the high of Jerez, where Maverick Vinales took his first podium of the season at one of his and Yamaha's worst tracks, the Spaniard was sent back down to earth - literally - at Le Mans.

Ducati will be back in normal 'Mission Winnow' branding for its home Italian MotoGP at Mugello this weekend. But perhaps 'Mission Stop Marquez' would be more appropriate, as the Italian factory seeks to halt the increasingly ominous form by the reigning world champion.

Mattia Pasini says coming into his home race as stand-in at Petronas Sprinta gives a different challenge but wants to fight for victory and won’t hold back at Mugello.