Indonesian MotoGP, Mandalika – Free Practice (1) Results

* Rookie

Fastest Mandalika pre-season testing time:
Pol Espargaro SPA Honda 1m 31.060s

Pol Espargaro and Honda repeated their Mandalika testing form to lead the MotoGP field during opening practice for the Indonesian Grand Prix, as just 0.079s covered the top three.

Despite substantial damp patches from earlier rain, (the revised) slick tyres were suitable from the start of the FP1 session, although some riders were in no rush to head out.

Ducati’s Jack Miller held an early 2.5s advantage with the Repsol Hondas of Espargaro and team-mate Marc Marquez briefly establishing themselves at the head of the timesheets by the middle stages of the 45-minutes.

Lap times continued to tumble with Johann Zarco, Marc Marquez, Pol Espargaro, Franco Morbidelli and Miguel Oliveira all taking turns at the top before Espargaro delivered his 1m 33.499s morning best.

Most riders chose the soft front and medium rear tyre combination, with Morbidelli and fellow Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso among the few to spend time on the soft rear.

Morbidelli’s Monster team-mate and reigning champion Fabio Quartararo did some late laps on the hard front, but was only 16th and returned to the pits looking unhappy.

The unpredictable weather meant most riders pushed for a fast time in the closing stages.

Qatar winner Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) was last with ten minutes remaining before posting the eighth-best time.

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Despite the tricky conditions, there were no fallers. 

MotoGP’s only prior track time at Mandalika came during the dusty three-day test in February, after which emergency resurfacing was required on around 25% of the circuit, from Turn 17 (the final corner) until after Turn 5.

In response to tyre overheating issues at the test, Michelin has brought a different, heat-resistant, casing that was last used at Buriram 2018.

Due to the moisture, Espargaro’s best testing lap was not threatened this morning. As the track dried, there was also a clear distinction between a thin, clean racing line and dirty off-line conditions.

This weekend’s event marks the first Indonesian motorcycle grand prix since Sentul in 1997.

Friday schedule – Mandalika

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Moto3 Free Practice 1: 08:50-9:30 (00:50-01:30 UK)
Moto2 Free Practice 1: 09:50-10:30 (01:50 -02:30 UK)
MotoGP Free Practice 1: 10:50-11:35 (02.50-03.35 UK)

Moto3 Free Practice 2: 13:05-13:45 (05:05-05.45 UK)
Moto2 Free Practice 2: 14:05-14:45 (06.05-06:45 UK)
MotoGP Free Practice 2: 15:05-15:50 (07:05-07:50 UK)

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