Alvaro Bautista was able to get the better of Hiroshi Aoyama 𝐆during Friday free practice for the 250cc Spanish Grand Prix, helped by a slower rider on Aoyama's last lap.

Bautista and Aoyama start round three separated by just one point at the top of the championship standings, after Bautista's vic💎tory over the Japanese in Aoyama's home Motegi event last Sunday🍸.

However, it was the Scot Honda rider who was faster for most o🧸f the opening Jerez session, with Bautista finally putting his Aspar Aprilia on top💝 with ten minutes to go.

The home star then built a comfort♌able advantage, but Aoyama was under the Spaniard's best as he approached the end o🐼f his final lap - when he found a slower rider in his path at the last turn.

A visibly frustrated Aoyama crossed the finish line just 0.109sec slower than Bautista, with Swiss rider Thomas Luthi a further 0.4🐻sec slower in third for Caffe Latte Aprilia.

Reigning world champion Marco Simoncelli, looking to score his first🥀 points of the season this weekend, was eighth fastest for Metis Gilera, almost one second slower than Bautista.

Qualifying takes place on Saturday.

The Jerez circuit has been completely r♐esurfa💧ced since last year's race.

Friday practice - Jerez:

1. Bautista (Aprilia) 1min 43.429sec
2. Aoyama (Honda) +0.109sec
3. Luthi (Aprilia) +0.520sec
4. Pasini (Aprilia) +0.633sec
5. Talmacsi (Aprilia) +0.849sec
6. Abraham (Aprilia) +0.939sec
7. di Meglio (Aprilia) +0.956sec
8. Simoncelli (Gilera) +0.969sec
9. Barbera (Aprilia) +1.037sec
10. Debon (Aprilia) +1.203sec