Clouds loomed in the distance as Warm Up began, prompting riders to practice their bike swaps in case of rain during the race, something that is looking ever more likely. He may be starting from last on the grid but Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) didn’t hold back in Warm Up, ending fastest with a best lap of 1’34.638.
His teammate Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), who will start from pole, was second fastest and is showing solid pace even in the dry. Not only is it the 250th MotoGP™ race, but it will also be Dovizioso’s 150th premier class race. Returning Ducati to the top step of the podium would be a perfect celebration.
Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) concluded the session in third ahead of Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Yonny Hernandez (Aspar Team MotoGP) was flicked off his Ducati at Turn 17, the Colombian unharmed but his bike sustained heavy damage. Not long after Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) also fell, at Turn 7 and Turn 9 respectively.