Johann Zarco fastest on day-one of Catalunya MotoGP

Johann Zarco topped Friday’s combined Catalunya MotoGP free practice times after exchanging top spot with Franco Morbidelli late on. 

As was the case in FP1, Morbidelli led most of the session following the initial flurry of laps, but with time attacks coming in thick and fast Zarco was able to move from seventh to first. 

Morbidelli finished second in both sessions in what looks to be a much better weekend so far for the Italian. 

Championship leader and race winner at Mugello Fabio Quartararo was third quickest for Monster Energy Yamaha. 

Fourth was Brad Binder who jumped up the order in blistering style by going three tenths quicker than anyone with two minutes remaining. 

The South African was 11th at the time of his lap, while late efforts from the factory Ducati duo of Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller saw them claim top tens. 

Bagnaia and Miller were running in 13th and 14th before the time attacks began and seemed to be struggling. Bagnaia finished fifth while Miller ended day-one seventh overall.

Separating the two Ducati riders is the Yamaha of Maverick Vinales. Eighth was the impressive rookie Enea Bastianini for Esponsorama Avintia Ducati. 

Rounding out the top ten were local riders Aleix Espargaro and top Honda rider Pol Espargaro. 

The younger of the two brothers had an eventful session aboard his factory Honda as he was one of the riders caught out by the new turn ten on two occasions. 

Espargaro avoided the gravel both times unlike former KTM team-mate Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese rider was able to remain aboard his RC16 machine though, something that can’t be said for Luca Marini who crashed whilst trying to stay upright through the gravel of turn four.  

Marc Marquez and Joan Mir will need to find improvements during FP3 as they could only manage 15th and 16th respectively.