Moto3 Valencia-1 FP1: Jaume Masiá in the wet. Albert Arenas on the ground.

The Ricardo Tormo Circuit hosts its first of two consecutive races this weekend. This time, it is for a European Grand Prix, whose name returns to the World Championship calendar after 25 years of absence. This is the antepenultimate round of the season. In Moto3, the situation in the championship means that Albert Arenas (KTM, Aspar Team Gaviota) can already strike a decisive blow in order to avoid a final in Portimão…

Many rivals will want to prevent it. Indeed, up to eight other drivers still have the opportunity to fight for the title: Ai Ogura (Honda, Honda Team Asia), Celestine Vietti (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46), Jaume Masia (Honda, Leopard Racing), Tony Arbolino (Honda, Rivacold Snipers Team), John McPhee (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing), Raúl Fernández (KTM, Red Bull KTM Ajo), Darryn Binder (KTM, CIP – Green Power) or Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda, SIC58 Squadra Corse). The rain forecast for this first Grand Prix in Valencia adds another factor of unpredictability at the end of the season.

The two races in Aragon allowed Albert Arenas to increase the gaps compared to Ai Ogura ou Celestine Vietti which are now 19 and 20 points. The World Championship leader has prepared thoroughly over the past week and, in this first round in Valencia, he is aiming for victory after his achievements in Qatar, Jerez and Austria.

Will it come to fruition in his business? Before answering this question, here is the first day devoted to free practice.

On this opening day of the European Grand Prix in Valencia, we wish a happy birthday to Ryusei Yamanaka which blows out its 19 candles.

Topics of discussion also concern the weather, particularly bad yesterday above Cheste and expected to improve a little today. This morning, just a few drops fell but the track remained very wet, with temperatures of 18° in the air and 16° on the ground.

For the record, here is a table which recalls the facts known until now:

Valencia Europe Moto3™	2019	2020
FP1	1'40.291 Marcos Ramirez	1'49.840 Jaume Masia
FP2	1'39.612 Jaume Masia
FP3	1'39.492 Marcos Ramirez
Q1	1'39.500 Tatsuki Suzuki
Q2	1'38.683 Andrea Migno
Warm up	1'39.959 Jaume Masia
Course	Garcia, Migno, Artigas
All time lap record	1'38.428 Jorge Martin (2017)

When the track opens, everyone obviously sets off on rain tires under the eyes of Jaume Masia who observes his opponents during a round from his box.

For the record, Tatsuki suzuki registered the first reference in 1'56.747 then improved to 1'54.247 on the next pass. Paolo Simoncelli's driver leadership is contested by Andrea Migno (KTM, Sky Racing Team VR46) who recorded 1'52.820 after 10 minutes but was overtaken again by the Japanese rider in 1'52.484.

Jaume Masia et Tony Arbolino are not far away, and the times are close to the 1'52 mark as the halfway mark approaches.

Half a dozen pilots crossed it in the minutes that followed, Andrea Migno in the lead in 1'51.243 ahead Suzuki, Arbolino, John McPhee et Alonso Lopez (Husqvarna, Sterilgarda Max Racing Team).

Once again, Tatsuki suzuki, who we remember had achieved the best time in Q1 last year, regained the advantage in 1'50.134 a quarter of an hour from the checkered flag.

Pilots ride on eggshells, but sometimes that's not enough, as is the case for Yukii Kuni (Honda, Honda Team Asia)…

Tony Arbolino also makes a mistake in turn 5, just like Jason dupasquier (KTM, Prüstl GP) then his teammate Barry BaltusFollowed by Khairul Idham Pawi (Honda, Petronas Sprinta Racing) and even Albert Arenas.

At the very end of the session, Jaume Masia accelerates the pace and wins in 1'49.840.

FP1 classification of the Moto3 European Grand Prix in Valencia:

Classification credit: MotoGP.com