Espargaró takes first hold in Qatar

The first practice session of the 2010 season saw the 125cc riders get the action underway in Qatar and it was Pol Espargaró who led the way under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit on Friday evening.

The hour-long session produced a best time of 2’07.218 for the Tuenti Racing rider, whose strong pre-season form indicated he would be one of the main title contenders for the 2010 title.

Joining him under the 2’08” mark was team-mate Efrén Vázquez at just over three-tenths of a second behind, and Marc Márquez (Red Bull Ajo Motorsport) made it a Derbi top three as he lapped hot on the heels of Vázquez. All three had led the timesheet at different points in the session, with the order changing right up until the final lap.

Further Derbi representation inside the top five times came in the form of Sandro Cortese (Avant Mitsubishi Ajo), who finished the 2009 race on the podium. The German made his intentions clear with the fourth quickest time, and he was followed by Bancaja Aspar rider Nico Terol in fifth.

Randy Krummenacher (Stipa-Molenaar Racing), Esteve Rabat (Blusens-STX), Johann Zarco (WTR San Marino Team), Tomoyoshi Koyama (Racing Team Germany) and Danny Webb (Andalucia Cajasol) all posted top ten lap times.

Webb experienced the only crash of the session with 15 minutes to go when he slid out. Meanwhile fellow Brit and 2009 World Championship runner-up Bradley Smith (Bancaja Aspar) had some problems with his Aprilia bike which lost him some time in the session as he finished 12th fastest.

Luis Salom (Lambretta Reparto Corse) had a run off after five minutes but was back on track shortly after to place 24th in the session.