MotoGP: Marquez beats record in FP3, Rossi in close pursuit

The Spaniard sets a new circuit record to go fastest in FP3, with big names failing to make an automatic Q2 spot.
Behind enemy lines, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) set a new circuit lap record of 1:46.439 around the Autodromo del Mugello to head into qualifying as the fastest rider on track. After unveiling one of his trademark helmet designs for the Italian GP, home hero Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was second fastest in FP3 as he looks set for a strong qualifying session at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. Rounding out the top three was Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), the Spaniard looking good on a track he’s won at five-times in the premier class.

Friday’s quickest man Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was one of only two riders who failed to go quicker in FP3, however he still put in a good enough time to end the session P4, second overall on the combined timesheets. Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) moved himself up to P5 after a quick final run on fresh rubber, with Italian Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) also moving himself into the top ten on his last run of the morning.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was seventh quickest, setting an identical time to Petrucci, with Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) earning an impressive automatic Q2 spot in P8. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was able to grab a top ten place at the checkered flag in P9, with last year’s winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) managing to get himself straight into Q2 after a difficult weekend so far – the number 04 was tenth.

There were some big-name absentees from the top ten in FP3. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) was an early faller in the session – rider ok, but he missed out on an automatic Q2 place in P11, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) struggling with rear grip issues in P12. Yesterday’s second quickest man Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) couldn’t improve his time from yesterday, ending FP3 down in a surprising 14th.