Guevara flying in Jerez as teammate Garcia avoids penalty

Top spot in the lightweight class on the opening day of the Red Bull Spanish Grand Prix went the way of Izan Guevara after the Gaviota GasGas Aspar man set an impressive 1:46.341 halfway through the 40-minute session. Meanwhile, the Mallorcan's teammate, and importantly the Championship leader, Sergio Garcia is breathing a huge sigh of relief after avoiding a penalty despite joining another rider in the Turn 11 gravel trap.

KTM TAKE CONTROL

After taking all five places inside the top five at last weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, KTM-powered machines looked impressive by locking out the top six. Guevara's lap time remains over a second adrift of Andrea Migno's lap record from last year, but it was good enough to be a tenth clear of Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) in second. Third fastest went the way of Jaume Masia, whilst his Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Dani Holgado crashed out.

CFMoto PruestelGP's Carlos Tatay ended up fourth ahead of FP1's fastest man Deniz Öncü in fifth. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing) was seriously impressive to finish sixth on the timesheets in his final replacement ride for the injured John McPhee. Another great ride came courtesy of the top Honda, Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing), who has form around Jerez after winning in the Junior World Championship last year.

Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) and Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounded out a top ten split by three quarters of a second.

TITLE RIVALS FURTHER BACK

After taking a second win of the season last time in Portimao, Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team's Sergio Garcia was tipped to again be competitive this weekend. However, a crash in the early moments of FP2 at Pedrosa Corner, Turn 6, started off a frustrating afternoon. With the chequered flag out, Garcia then went down a second time. He crashed at Turn 11 and joined an already stricken SIC58 Squadra Corse's Lorenzo Fellon in the gravel trap. 

But, fortunately for the Spaniard, the yellow light panel at the bridge before Turn 11 that indicates a crash in the upcoming corner had not been activated, meaning he was given no prior warning that Frenchman had crashed in front of him. Therefore, no penalty for Garcia and his only worry is sitting outside the top ten in 11th. The Aspar man's title rival Dennis Foggia also struggled on the opening day in Jerez, the Italian is a tenth and two places further back in 13th.

Moto3™ Top 10 on Friday:
1. Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – 1:46.341
2. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.132
3. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.192
4. Carlos Tatay (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) + 0.326
5. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) + 0.397
6. David Salvador (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) + 0.538
7. Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team) + 0.561
8. Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) + 0.643
9. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets - MSI) + 0.759
10. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) + 0.762