Andrea Dovizioso signalled his intentions for the San Marino Grand Prix weekend by topping both Friday practice sessions at Misano. The Italian led a Ducati 1-2 ahead of Jorge Lorenzo as the team look to extend their record of having won the last two Grands Prix, having also taken a 1-2 on the grid for the cancelled British Grand Prix two weeks ago.
Dovizioso had already set the pace in the morning session with Marc Marquez more focussed on race preparation, ending FP1 in thirteenth spot. The reigning champion soon came alive in the afternoon, clocking a 1:32.537, and wouldn’t be overhauled until a flurry of time-attacks in the closing minutes as riders prioritised a Q2 place, mindful of potential rain tomorrow.
Lorenzo was the first to topple Marquez, edging ahead by two tenths of a second, but the final word would go to Dovizioso whose 1:32.198 lap was just three tenths shy of the absolute circuit record. Cal Crutchlow also improved late on to secure third ahead of Maverick Vinales on the leading Yamaha while Marquez slipped to fifth in the end.
Danilo Petrucci was sixth overall ahead of Alex Rins on the leading Suzuki while home favourite Valentino Rossi recovered from a quiet morning session to scramble his way into eighth, securing him a provisional Q2 spot with rain likely to affect FP3. Andrea Iannone also clung onto a Q2 spot in ninth, despite a high-speed crash at the penultimate corner, while Franco Morbidelli finished a fine tenth for Marc VDS.
2018 GP Octo di San Marino e Della Riviera di Rimini (Friday Practice)
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