#CatalanGP J1 Danilo Petrucci “Being with the best is always satisfying”

After his superb, hard-fought podium last weekend at Mugello during his national Grand Prix, Petrucci confirmed his current good form by taking the fifth fastest time on the first day of Catalan free practice.

The first morning session went quite well for Petrux, with the tenth time in 1'47.252 to 1.377 from leader Marc Marquez. It wasn't extraordinary, but about average for Ducati riders. Danilo preceded on this occasion Johann zarco et Jorge Lorenzo.

The second session saw him progress well, moving into fifth position, 0.5 behind Marquez, but only a tenth behind Jorge Lorenzo in second, and 0.007 behindAndrea Dovizioso who was in fourth place. The Desmosedici GP17s achieved a nice group shot on this occasion, which can give them a lot of hope for Q2, before Sunday's race.

For Danilo Petrucci, “ It was a good start because we made very few changes to the bike. It's not a circuit that should favor us but we started very well.

“Tire degradation will be a deciding factor. I was the only one using the hard tire, but after a few laps the rear tire started to drop in performance.

“I should work hard on the power and my driving style to be fast in the second half of the race. Being with the best, however, is always satisfying. »

Results of the first day of free practice:

1- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – 1’44.295
2- Jorge Lorenzo – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.405
3- Jonas Folger – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.544
4- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.588
5- Danilo Petrucci – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.595
6- Tito Rabat – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 0.627
7- Johann Zarco – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.768
8- Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team - Honda RC213V - + 0.803
9- Alvaro Bautista – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 0.821
10- Valentino Rossi – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.823
11- Hector Barbera – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.016
12- Scott Redding – OCTO Pramac Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP – + 1.080
13- Andrea Iannone – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 1.170
14- Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 1.259
15- Loris Baz – Reale Avintia Racing – Ducati Desmosedici GP15 – + 1.460
16- Sam Lowes – Aprilia Racing Team Gresini – Aprilia RS-GP – + 1.465
17- Maverick Vinales – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.515
18- Jack Miller – EG 0,0 Marc VDS – Honda RC213V – + 1.573
19- Karel Abraham – Pull&Bear Aspar Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP15 – + 1.637
20- Cal Crutchlow – LCR Honda – Honda RC213V – + 1.672
21- Pol Espargaro – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 2.651
22- Sylvain Guintoli – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki GSX-RR – + 2.707
23- Bradley Smith – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing – KTM RC16 – + 3.597