Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez has taken top spot in the opening Catalunya MotoGP free practice session after debuting a new exhaust and engine package in order to try and tame the overly-aggressive RC213V.
Marquez did a couple of familiarisaton laps on the bike which he used at Mugello and then swapped to the new version which Honda hope will allow the Repsol rider to brake where he needs to instead of running on and also calm down the corner-exit power delivery.
So far, it seems to be working as Marquez was the only rider to break the 1’42s barrier with a 1’41.808 on his final flying lap to better team-mate Dani Pedrosa’s 1’42.018. The other tiny Spaniard did 18 laps in the first session to give his arms a chance to adapt again after surgery.
Ecstar Suzuki’s Aleix Espargaro, who is also using a new engine spec this weekend, ended in third place on a 1’42.183 after leading a majority of the first session with his fourth lap of 1’42.217.
In-form Jorge Lorenzo was the quickest Yamaha in fourth place but 0.650s off the pace with Maverick Vinales in fifth on the second Ecstar Suzuki. Yonny Hernandez is the leading Ducati in sixth place, putting his Pramac satellite bike round in 1’42.594.
Nicky Hayden is clearly the fastest Open class bike in seventh place, just 0.815s off the pace, and the American’s last fast lap was enough to push Valentino Rossi into his customary eighth place, 1.130s off Marquez’ pace.
Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow completed the top ten with Andrea Iannone and Scott Redding in 11th and 12th. Bradley Smith has difficult opening session, ending in 15th place with Eugene Laverty in 18th.
