Binder looking to go out on a high

Reigning Champion quickest as action opens on Sunday

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was quickest out the blocks at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana –dominating the session over three tenths quicker than the field, with Rookie of the Year contender Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) taking second.

After 12-place grid positions were given to Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46), Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) and Bo Bendsneyder (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Mir was already the Rookie of the Year contestant with the best starting position, and the Mallorcan backed up his pre-race pace in Warm Up.

Juanfran Guevara and Gabriel Rodrigo gave RBA Racing another great session in P3 and P4, with Francesco Bagnaia (Pull&Bear Aspar Mahindra) completing the top five as he prepares his final stand in the fight for the top two positions behind Champion Binder in the title standings – from the men directly behind him in WUP, Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing Moto3) and Jorge Navarro (Estrella Galicia 0,0). ‘Bestia’ Bastianini holds the advantage, 19 points clear of Bagnaia.

Livio Lio (RW Racing GP BV), Raul Fernandez (MH& Team) – replacing injured Maria Herrera – and Philipp Oettl (Schedl GP Racing).