Mugello, Italy: Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest in a dramatic day of free practices at the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM in Mugello ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi and Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow in MotoGP, yesterday.
Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez escaped serious injury in a high-speed accident at the end of the fast start/finish straight and had led a topsy-turvy opening practice in the morning, but lost control of his bike in the afternoon session on one of the fastest parts of any racetrack in the world.
Lorenzo set the pace with a lap time of 1’48.375, beating teammate and multiple Mugello winner Rossi by just 34 thousandths of a second.
Both Yamaha men were relieved to be back on the pace following difficult weekends for both last time out in Le Mans.
Crutchlow was third, continuing his good run of form, whilst Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden finished a credible fourth, despite not being completely happy with the bike.
Dani Pedrosa, who is aiming for a hat-trick of 2013 victories this weekend, came fifth, citing a lack of grip.
Meanwhile, in Moto2 categroy, Jerez race winner Tito Rabat jumped in front of Simone Corsi to lead the first day as the Tuenti HP 40 and NGM Mobile Racing riders were joined in the top three by Italtrans Racing Team’s Takaaki Nakagami.
Rabat posted the weekend’s best time of 1’53.583, with the Spaniard stating afterwards he was still looking for an improvement in change-in-direction with the bike. AGENCIES
