Catalunya MotoGP: Johann Zarco fastest on day-one from Franco Morbidelli

Johann Zarco tops Friday’s combined MotoGP practice times in Catalunya, while the likes of Marc Marquez and Joan Mir could only manage 15th and 16th.
Johann Zarco, Catalunya MotoGP, 4 June 2021
Johann Zarco, Catalunya MotoGP, 4 June 2021
© Gold and Goose

Johann Zarco toppedꦉ Friday’s combined Catalunya MotoGP⭕ free practice times after exchanging top spot with Franco Morbidelli late on. 

As was the case in FP1, Morbidelli led most of the session following the initial flurry of laps, but with time attacks coming in thick and fast Zarco was able to move from seventh to fi🔯rst. 

Morbidelli finished second in both sessions in what looks to be a much better weekend so fa🍸r for the Italian. 

Championship leader and race winner at Mugello Fabio Quartararo was third quickest for Monster Energy Yamah🍌a. 

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Fourth was Brad Binder who jum✤ped up the order in blistering style by going three tenths quicker than anyoไne with two minutes remaining. 

The South African was 11th at the time of his lap, while late🎃 efforts from the factory Ducati duo of Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller saw them claim top tens. 

Bagnaia and Miller were running in 13th and 14th before the time attacks began and seemed to be struggling🉐. Bagnaia🔜 finished fifth while Miller ended day-one seventh overall.

Separating the two Ducati riders is the Yamaha of Maverick Vinales. Eighth was the♍ impressive rookie Enea Bastianini for Esponsorama Avintia Ducati. 

Rounding out the top ten were local r𝓰iders Aleix Espargaro and top Honda rider Pol Espargaro. 

The younger of the two brothers had an👍 eventful session abo𓂃ard his factory Honda as he was one of the riders caught out by the new turn ten on two occasions. 

Espargaro avoided th🦂e gravel both times unlike former KTM team-mate Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese rider was able to remain aboard his RC16 machine though, something that can’t be said for Luca Marini who crashed whilst trying to stay upright through the gravel of turn four.  

♐Marc Marquez and Joan Mir will need to find improvements during FP3 as they could only manage 15th and 16th respectively.

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