Marquez takes charge on Day 1

2017 Jerez winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider) marched to the top of the Moto2™ timesheets on the opening day at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, with his 1:42.537 almost three tenths clear of second place man Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40). Championship leader Franceso Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) failed to improve his time in FP2 after going fastest in the morning, and he ended the day P3 on the combined timesheets.

Former Jerez winner Sam Lowes (Swiss Innovative Investors), one of the quickest men at the preseason test at the venue, was fourth overall on the timesheets – his time of 1:42.836 was the exact same time Bagnaia recorded in FP1. Romano Fenati (Marinelli Snipers Team) impressed again in FP2 after going third quickest in FP1, finishing fifth on the combined practice times and taking the honour of top Rookie on the opening day.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo), winner here in the Moto3™ class in 2016 from the back of the grid, made a strong start to the weekend in sixth, with reigning Moto3™ Champion Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) just behind him in P7. Argentina GP winner Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) didn’t finish FP2 after a technical problem on the back straight forced him to pull off track. However, the Italian had already improved his time from FP1 by over three tenths, ending the day in eighth – 0.571 off Marquez’ time.

Rounding out the top ten on Friday was Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo), , with Iker Lecuona (Swiss Innovative Investors) in tenth – both of whom failed to go quicker in FP2 and their fastest efforts set in the morning

Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) was an early faller in FP2, rider ok, but there was more drama as Bagnaia then clashed with Isaac Viñales (SAG Team) at the final corner at the end of the session, with both riders pushing for a quick time at the end of the day.

The intermediate class bikes will be back on track for FP3 on Saturday, 10:55 local time (GMT +2).

Click here to see the full results!