Aleix Espargaro put in a late charge to steal🐓 top spot from Petronas Yamaha rider Franco Morbidelli during MotoGP FP1 in Catalunya.&nꦆbsp;

The Aprilia rider fitted a new front and rear medium tyre during the closing stages and set a lap time of 1:40ꦡ.738s, while most of the field remained on used tyres.

Before t♍hat, Espargaro was ru💧nning third for much of the session - behind Morbidelli and brother Pol Espargaro.

Morbidelli was particularly strong in sectors three and four after exchanging fastest times with Marc Marquez early on. The Italian has good form around the Catalan track as he 𒁃took pole positionꦚ here last season.

It was a much improved start to the week♌end for Repsol Honda and Espargaro who endured a tough Mugello race where he finished 12th.

Fourth was the Monster Energy Yamaha of Maverick Vinales, while team-mate and championship leader Fabio Quartara🍸ro was sixth. 

Quartararo comes into the weekend following a third MotoGP win of the season✤, but also the latest rider to win around Barcelona.

Splitting the two factory Yamaha riders was Johann Zarco aboard the Pramac Ducati. The Italian t💙eam is back to full strength this weekend as Jorge Martin made his MotoGP return - finished 12th q🧔uickest. 

Miguel Oliveira wasဣ seventh following his and KTM’s first podium of the 2021 season last tim♊e out. 

Rounding out theꦡ top ten was 2020 world champion Joan Mir and both factory Ducati riders Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia - ninth and tenth respectively. 

Fans were seen in the grandstands for the first time this y🐻ear, as 20% o🍌f the circuit capacity is allowed.