HDR Heidrun Speed Up’s Jorge Navarro is Friday’s fastest rider in the Moto2™ class at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España thanks to his 1:41.819 set in FP1, the Spaniard spearheads Red Bull KTM Ajo teammates Brad Binder and Jorge Martin as the top three are split by just 0.116 in Jerez.
A scarily fast crash for FP1 topper @Jorge_Navarro9 ????
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) May 3, 2019
He's up and walking away back to the pits! ????#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/Oo1vTtM6Pm
With scorching track conditions making it difficult for the riders to improve times, it’s pretty much as you were in the cooler FP1 in terms of combined times. Navarro didn’t have it all his own way on Day 1 though, a fast crash at Turn 11 at the end of FP2 slightly dampened his spirits – rider ok. The Spaniard finished third in FP2 behind Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) – one of only four riders to improve in the afternoon – and Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), with both Binder and Martin struggling slightly more in hotter temperatures to finish 13th and 21st respectively in FP2 – Martin crashing unhurt in the second session.
However, it is two KTMs who are keeping the closest tabs on Navarro after Day 1, with Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) fourth on the combined times, the Austin winner finishing FP2 in seventh. Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) produced a magical save during FP2 to keep himself upright, the Australian completing the top five in the combined standings thanks to his FP1 time. He edges out Marquez as the duo enjoyed productive days on board their Kalex bikes, the Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) putting in an outstanding effort to finish seventh overall and fourth in FP2. The Spaniard suffered a fractured wrist in Argentina and missed the Americas GP as a result.
Rear end slide ✅
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) May 3, 2019
Tuck the front ✅
Keep it pinned ✅#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/aXKBoTczRf
It was also a good day for Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) who, like teammate Gardner, produced a great save during the afternoon session – eighth overall for the Japanese rider, fifth in FP2. Italy’s Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) occupies ninth on the combined times, with Schrötter moving into P10 thanks to setting the pace in FP2.
What about this for a replay!!! ????
— MotoGP™ ???????? (@MotoGP) May 3, 2019
Just look at the distortion of the rear tyre as @tetsuta45 goes over the kerb! (I bet that mass damper on the swingarm came in handy there ????)#SpanishGP ???????? pic.twitter.com/GHcZxf2mIt
Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) crashed at Turn 2 early in the session, with Lorenzo Baldassarri’s (FlexBox HP 40) day going from bad to worse in the afternoon. Where does two bike problems and two crashes across FP1 and FP2 leave the Championship leader?
The top 14 will have an automatic Q2 place, but there’s still one more Free Practice to go on Saturday morning to decide which riders that will be. Tune in for Moto2™ FP3 at 10:55 local time (GMT+2) on Saturday morning.
Top 10 (combined FP1 and FP2):
1. Jorge Navarro (HDR Heidrun Speed Up) – 1:41.819
2. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.019
3. Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) + 0.116
4. Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) + 0.139
5. Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) + 0.153
6. Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) + 0.155
7. Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) + 0.262
8. Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) + 0.365
9. Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) + 0.369
10. Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) + 0.414
Click here for the full results!