Simón leads the way in first 125cc practice

Julían Simón started the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana as the leading rider in the first 125cc free practice on Friday, setting a fastest lap of 1’42.536 in the Valencian sunshine.

The Spaniard set his best time on the 21st of 22 laps, as he led next fastest in line Nico Terol (Jack & Jones Team) by a margin of 0.193s.

Marcel Schrotter impressed on his Honda as the Toni – Mang Team rider led the timesheet at one point, with his time of 1’42.747 eventually placing him third. The German had set the pace on his 20th of 30 laps, before Simón’s late surge shifted him down.

A late crash for Simón’s Bancaja Aspar team-mate Sergio Gadea did not prevent him from setting the fourth-fastest time, having already lapped at almost 0.4s slower when a low-side ended his session with five minutes remaining, and Pol Espargaró was also inside the top five.

Jonas Folger (Ongetta Team I.S.P.A.) experienced an early problem as he ran off, whilst Scott Redding (Blusens Aprilia) and Marc Márquez (Red Bull KTM) – who finished sixth-quickest – also had minor spills. Simone Corsi (Fontana Racing) and Jakub Kornfeil (Loncin Racing) touched elbows midway through the session too as they jostled for space.