'Less Bad' Espargaro Tops Practice At Argentina's Happy Hunting Ground
Sumaira FH Published April 01, 2023 | 09:10 AM
Termas de R�o Hondo, Argentina, April 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Apr, 2023 ) :Aleix Espargaro on Friday led an Aprilia one-two in practice for the Argentina MotoGP at the same circuit where 12 months ago he delivered the team's first premier class world championship victory.
The Spanish rider edged out teammate and 2017 Argentine race winner Maverick Vinales by 0.162sec with Ducati's Marco Bezzecchi in third spot.
Despite the Aprilia dominance, Espargaro insisted his machine was not the best on the grid.
"The bike is not good here. But I think it's less bad than the other bikes," said Espargaro who was ninth last weekend in the Portugal season-opener.
"In Portimao last week I felt 10 times better. The bike was grippy, turning, good on the brakes.
"Here it's like you are on ice all the time, sliding, sliding. It's crazy. But it looks like the other bikes are even worse." Ducati, who have never won at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, filled out the next four spots courtesy of Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and Francesco Bagnaia who was down in sixth place, 0.426sec off the pace.
World champion Bagnaia won in Portugal, taking maximum points from the inaugural Saturday sprint race and Sunday's showpiece event.
Jorge Martin of Ducati, Takaaki Nakagami on a Honda, Yamaha's Franco Morbidelli and Honda rider Alex Rins made up Friday's top 10.
They all go straight into the second qualifying run on Saturday.
Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, 2020 series winner Joan Mir, on a Honda, as well as KTM's factory riders Jack Miller and Brad Binder, missed out on the top 10.
They will instead have to compete in the opening qualifying session on Saturday.
"It was a bad day for us. We lack corner speed and drive," said Frenchman Quartararo.
"The corner speed is the thing I'm missing the most. We have to understand why this is happening, because we haven't changed that much on the bike compared to before." Four riders are missing the Argentina Grand Prix having suffered injuries at a chaotic season-opener in Portugal.
Bagnaia's Ducati factory teammate Enea Bastianini has a broken shoulder blade.
Spanish veteran Pol Espargaro is facing a lengthy absence due to a bruised lung and fractures to his jaw and spine following a crash in practice.
Six-time premier class champion Marc Marquez is out after undergoing a fifth surgery in less than three years following his spectacular collision with Aprilia rider Miguel Oliveira.
The luckless Oliveira is also sidelined due to a leg injury sustained in that accident, leaving Sunday's grid in Argentina reduced to 18 from 22.
Earlier Friday, it was announced that Germany's Jonas Folger will replace Pol Espargaro at the GasGas team from next month's Grand Prix of the Americas.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
1 day ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
3 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
10 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago