After an FP1 session that saw 2015 winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3) take the top spot, the afternoon in Misano saw hotter track temperatures take over but the 2015 winner keep his place at the top of the timesheets, as the local rider dueled it out with Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Brad Binder. Binder, who leads the title by 86 points, ended the day in P2, ahead of Leopard Racing's Austrian GP winner Joan Mir.
Bastianini took his first win at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in 2015, and the return to home soil for the Italian got off to a great start as he went fastest in FP1 and then repeated the feat in FP2. Looking to move back up ahead of compatriot Francesco Bagnaia (Gaviota Mahindra Aspar) in the title into P3, the 'Beast' made his intentions clear on Friday.
Brad Binder, after a technical issue cut him FP1 slightly short, was back out in force on Friday afternoon as the South African points leader hovered near the top and was fastest for a time, before ending the day in P2. With an 86 point cushion at the top of the standings, Binder will feel confident ahead of qualifying.
Joan Mir was third fastest with an impressive lap time for the Leopard Racing rookie, although the Spaniard did suffer a run off on another attempt at a hot lap. With the raw pace looking impressive, the Austrian GP winner set himself up well for the San Marino GP in P3.
Jakub Kornfeil (Drive M7 SIC Racing Team) impressed on day 1 on the Riviera di Rimini to go fourth fastest, ahead of Bastianini's rookie teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, who had another great day in the world championship to lock out the top 5. Title contender Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was sixth at the end of Friday, with Livio Loi (RW Racing GP BV) in P7 in an impressive Friday showing. Philipp Oettl (Schedl Racing GP) remained in P8 at the end of the day with his FP1 laptime, ahead of Andrea Migno. Migno was the fastest Sky Racing Team VR46 rider at their home GP in P9, with teammate Nicolo Bulega ending the day in P13.
Local rider Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) was ninth fastest in FP2 and tenth on combined times, ahead of Gaviota Mahindra Aspar rider Jorge Martin. Martin's teammate Francesco Bagnaia was unable to finish his Friday as planned after a problem with the clutch, and was down in P17 for the final few minutes of the second session before ending up P25. The Italian poleman last time out will be looking to quickly move up the timesheets when he gets back out on track on Saturday, as qualifying takes place for Mahindra's 100th race in the world championship.
For full results, click here. Moto3™ will return for FP3 at 9:00 local time (GMT +2) on Saturday, before qualifying later in the afternoon for the Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini.