There are a lot of people in this repechage session, two of whom will leave to play the final in a decisive Q2 for pole position. There we find in fact a certain Andrea Dovizioso candidate for the world title and even his teammate Petrucci, the two Ducati officials. These are logically the favorites of the exercise which will be played on a degraded and not entirely dry track. However, you will have to go into battle with slicks. And therefore take risks. Who will emerge intact from what looks like a trap for some and a great opportunity for others?
While waiting for the response from the timer, here are the available references, with a track record still dating from the Bridgestone era:
|
MotoGP ™ |
2018 |
2019 |
| FP1 |
2'05.530 Marc Márquez (See here) |
2'05.311 Marc Márquez (See here) |
| FP2 |
2'04.599 Andrea Iannone (See here) |
2'03.857 Maverick Viñales |
| FP3 |
2'04.608 Marc Márquez (See here) |
Canceled due to storm |
| FP4 |
2'04.686 Marc Márquez (See here) |
2'05.478 Marc Márquez |
| Q1 |
2'05.169 Pol Espargaró (See here) |
|
| Q2 |
2'03.658 Marc Márquez (See here) |
|
| warm up |
2'04.988 Marc Márquez (See here) |
|
| Course | Marquez, Vinales, Iannone (See here) | |
| All time lap record |
2'02.135 Marc Márquez 2015 |
|
21° in the air and 28° on the track, these are the proposed conditions. During FP4, we could see a rear deflector on the KTM of a zarco who finished in the top 10 and first of the Mattighofen drivers. His desire is strong to reach the Texan Q2. Among the personalities of the exercise, we note Lorenzo or the official Suzuki of Mir. Petrucci has everything to fear after a disappointing final free practice session. Aleix Espargaro will also play its card with the Aprilia, as Nakagami with the Honda.
But it's Olive tree with the KTM opening the ball in 2'07.702. Mir replies with two tenths less. zarco is third and Syahrin fifth behind Nakagami. Which makes three KTMs in the top 5. But Dovizioso barely gets going.
Olive tree slams a 2'07.111 followed by the Aprilia of Iannone. Dovizioso is only fifth while Petrucci takes second place. The first assault ends with zarco seventh. Everyone starts up again to fire the last cartridge… Except Dovi et Alex Espargaró who pursue!
Mold @ _moliveira88 spring has a surprise? 👊
The Portuguese rookie leads midway through Q1! 🇵🇹#AmericasGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/fUu6SoSQbK
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 13, 2019
A good strategy because DesmoDovi slams a 2'05.907 ahead of the Spaniard's Aprilia by seven tenths. The matter is not over yet since Lorenzo creates a surprise in 2'05.855. But it is not finished. Dovi drinks the chalice to the dregs while being taken out by his teammate Petrucci. A disappointment that he had not experienced since Jerez 2017. An event in the title race against Márquez... zarco will start 19th, behind the KTM Tech3 ofOlive tree.
