Rookie Quartararo Edges Spanish Rivals At Valencia Practice Sessions
Muhammad Rameez Published November 15, 2019 | 10:32 PM
Breakout French rookie Fabio Quartararo posted the fastest time in both practice sessions for the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix on Friday, with world champion Marc Marquez third on the timesheets
The 20-year-old Quartararo has emerged as a fascinating subplot this season as he bids to end a 20-year French barren run in MotoGP by winning his first race after five pole positions and six podium finishes in his debut top-flight season.
On the 4km Ricardo Tormo circuit, the rider edged out fellow Yamaha man Maverick Vinales in the second session, with six-time top-class world champion Marquez coming third.
Quartararo was keeping his feet on the ground over his chances on Sunday.
"We know going fast on one lap is our strength, but we're not quite there yet in a race. We need to work on the bike and the strategy," he said.
Former three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, 32, was way down the rankings in 16th after announcing he will retire after the race.
Italian veteran Valentino Rossi fell twice on Friday, going down in a shower of sparks as his bike hit the ground.
He finished the day 14th.
Marquez, who was crowned MotoGP champion for a sixth time last month, is looking for only his second MotoGP win in Valencia and was just 0.077 seconds slower than Quartararo.
Marquez has undoubtedly been the star of the 2019 season, winning 11 races and wrapping up the title with four races to spare.
No one has come close to the 26-year-old's speed and consistency but he has only won once in MotoGP at Valencia, back in 2014.
Leading combined MotoGP times after the second practice session at the Valencia Grand Prix on Friday:1. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha-SRT) 1min 30.735sec, 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) at 0.148, 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.239, 4. Jack Miller (AUS/Ducati-Pramac) 0.265, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Yamaha-SRT) 0.464, 6. Alex Rins (ESP/Suzuki) 0.495, 7. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 0.545, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 0.570, 9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 0.616, 10. Johann Zarco (FRA/LCR-Honda) 0.634
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
6 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
6 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
6 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
6 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
6 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
6 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
7 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
7 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
7 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
9 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
9 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
9 hours ago