Austrian GP | Dovizioso Tops FP1 in the Sun
Andrea Dovizioso has thrown down the gauntlet, after winning the #CzechGP last weekend, he has started this weekend fastest. Jorge Lorenzo followed closely in 2nd, with Petrucci rounding out the top 3. Can anyone end Ducati's winning streak at the Red Bull Ring?
A last lap dash saw Dovizioso steal top spot from his teammate Lorenzo, setting a time of 1:23:830 whilst Lorenzo set 1:24:045. Petrucci completed the top 3, with a time of 1:24:320. Ducati have a good record at this track since it’s return in 2016, this round been won by Iannone (2016) and Dovizioso (2017). Petrucci will be looking for his first ever MotoGP win this weekend.
Marquez set a time of 1:24:411, placing him 4th as top Honda. 2016 race winner, Iannone placed 5th with a time of 1:24:436, aboard his Suzuki, he will be looking for another podium this weekend at the Austrian GP. Pedrosa impressed in FP1, placing 6th, setting a time of 1:24:474, closely followed by Honda compatriot Crutchlow, who set 1:24:491. Rabat looked comfortable aboard his Ducati, placing 8th and setting a time of 1:24:676, a strong showing from the Spaniard who will be looking to draw from previous Ducati success here, and seek out his best ever finish.
Zarco placed 9th with a time of 1:24:767, the first of a struggling Yamaha camp, Viñales closely followed, placing 10th with a time of 1:24:835. Rossi found himself 11th after the first session of the weekend, the Austrian GP was a particularly difficult weekend for Yamaha last year, however it looked for Rossi to be history repeating itself. An early technical error left Rossi with only his number 2 bike to test on this morning, he set a time of 1:24:884, which he will look to improve in FP2.
A Espargaro placed 12th, as top Aprillia with a time of 1:24:904, after a nasty crash at the Sachsenring. Bautista set a time of 1:24:938, placing him 13th as he continues to impress aboard an old spec Ducati. Rins found himself 14th after setting a time of 1:24:939, he will look to improve this in FP2, and draw from his teammate’s early pace. Top KTM for the 1st session of the weekend, with a time of 1:24:973 was Smith, he placed 15th.
Top Rookie this session was Nakagami, in 16th, with a time of 1:25:011. Hot on his heels was Morbidelli in 17th with a time of 1:25:107.
All riders will be looking to improve their times during the FP2 session, however, with rain forecast for the afternoon, will any take Dovizioso’s top spot?