Monster Yamaha’s Johann Zarco has taken top spot in this morning’s opening Brno MotoGP free practice, splashing his way to a 0.039s lead over reigning champion Marc Marquez with Jorge Lorenzo less than a tenth further back.
Zarco put in a late charge to depose the Ducati man, sticking in a 2’05.201 on his 19th lap and Marquez’ last lap saw him slide into second on a 2’05.240 using a new aero package on the RC213V while team-mate Dani Pedrosa, who has a different but also new fairing, in fourth place.
Pedrosa put in a 2’05.446 on his 14th lap and his fairing has less interior vanes than the version on Marquez’ bike. Honda have been clever with the aero rules, homologating a fairing with lots of interior attachments than can be taken off as per the regulations.
The Movistar Yamahas struggled early in the session, as they have in wet sessions earlier in the year, but both came good late on. Valentino Rossi bagged fifth place with a 2’05.712 as Maverick Vinales hauled himself into the top six from outside the top ten with a 2’05.845 on his final lap.
Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci ended in seventh place on a 2’05.886 while Hector Barbera was one place behind after leading the session on the half hour. Aleix Espargaro and Jonas Folger completed the top ten.
Loris Baz put his Avintia Ducati in 11th place after being as high as fourth with 15 minutes to go while Cal Crutchlow finished in 12th, one place ahead of Andrea Dovizioso. Scott Redding, who is usually fast in the rain, ended in 14th with Alvaro Bautista in 15th.
Andrea Iannone showed pace early doors but slipped back to 16th with Sam Lowes in 17th and only 1.5s off the pace. Jack Miller, also usually quick in wet conditions, ended in 21st with Bradley Smith 22nd.
