Ninth in the morning, fourteenth in the afternoon, this gives us a Marc Marquez thirteenth only at the end of the first day of the Italian Grand Prix. Overall, the reigning World Champion is still in Q.1. But tomorrow is another day. The weather will also be nice and MM93 will be riding the soft tires that he refused to use throughout Friday.
While the Ducati were sounding a charge that the Honda of Crutchlow upset, HRC officials were discreet. Finally, above all Marc Márquez, because side Dani Pedrosa, we claim a seventh place in the total of the two free practice sessions. Enough to attract this remark to the native of Cervera: “ Looks like Dani has a pretty fast pace, which puts him among the favorites for the race ».
As for its own fate, MM93 is launching into its tire range. And with the new carcass brought by Michelin, we must follow: “ I focused on my pace for the Grand Prix using both bikes. We were looking for the best compromise. In the morning we reviewed the medium and soft rear tires and this afternoon we focused on the hard rear and the medium front. Which is actually harder because the right side is harder than the hard choice itself ».
Assessment? “ It wasn't so bad but we need to improve on certain points. This morning I was fine, but when the temperatures started to rise during the afternoon I suffered more from the front. I didn't ride the softs which probably explains my modest ranking at the moment. But the new carcass does not favor us ».
For what ? Follow carefully… “ Cal and I, and also Jack Miller, put a lot of pressure on the front when braking. And this tire is not stiff enough. So, for the front medium, the right side is harder than that of the “hard” range but the left side is softer than on the hard ».
In summary, Marc Marquez appreciates the new harder carcass of the Michelin front tire, but also needs the hardest rubber possible, which he only finds in the asymmetric medium tire. Simple, isn't it? 🙂
« When I saw our allocation, I immediately told myself that we wouldn't be at the party. But we can't complain, it's the same for others, we have to adapt. We need to work on the settings.” As for what comes next: “it’s difficult to assess the forces involved at the moment. Everyone is looking for their settings and their tires ».
Marc Márquez finished his Friday just over six tenths behind the leader Crutchlow, LCR driver on an RC213V…
#ItalianGP: MotoGP Chronos
1. ^9 Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 1m 47.365s [Lap 16/18] 340km/h (Top Speed)
2. ˅1 Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 47.526s +0.161s [10/18] 351km/h
3. ^5 Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 1m 47.543s +0.178s [14/16] 341km/h
4. = Johann Zarco ENG Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)*
1m 47.685s +0.320s [18/19] 344km/h
5. ^8 Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V)
1m 47.699s +0.334s [11/19] 344km/h
6. ˅1 Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 47.710s +0.345s [16/18] 352km/h
7. ^5 Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 47.728s +0.363s [20/20] 348km/h
8. ^3 Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)
1m 47.807s +0.442s [13/19] 349km/h
9. ˅7 Michele Pirro ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 47.883s +0.518s [16/17] 351km/h
10. ˅3 Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 47.950s +0.585s [14/15] 348km/h
11. ˅5 Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 1m 47.954s +0.589s [14/18] 351km/h
12. ^3 Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 48.000s +0.635s [18/19] 341km/h
13. ˅10 Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 1m 48.014s +0.649s [13/13] 341km/h
14. 5
Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 1m 48.103s +0.738s [5/21] 342km/h
15. ^1 Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 1m 48.111s +0.746s [17/18] 349km/h
16. ˅2 Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 1m 48.129s +0.764s [15/17] 342km/h
17. = Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 48.560s +1.195s [18/19] 344km/h
18. = Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 1m 48.664s +1.299s [17/20] 343km/h
19. = Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 48.751s +1.386s [13/15] 338km/h
20. ^1 Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)*
1m 48.842s +1.477s [4/5] 338km/h
21. ^1 Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 1m 48.925s +1.560s [16/17] 347km/h
22. ˅2 Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 49.524s +2.159s [16/18] 343km/h
23. =Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 1m 49.640s +2.275s [17/17] 344km/h
24. = Sylvain Guintoli FRA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 1m 50.054s +2.689s [13/18] 342km/h
