Sam Lowes’ love of Barcelona continued as practice began for MotoGP Catalunya with the Marc VDS rider setting a fierce benchmark to spearhead the day’s sessions ahead of championship rival Luca Marini.
Marcel Schrotter’s session-leading time from the afternoon gifted the German third in the combined standings with Jake Dixon’s early effort enough to secure his top-14 place despite a late fall.
Moto2 practice at Barcelona began with home hero Jorge Martin back on track after missing both Misano outings due to positive Covid-19 results - the returning Spaniard starting the weekend strongly by confirming his promotion to MotoGP next season, likely with Ducati, with full details still to be announced.
Xavi Vierge is another to confirm his job security this week, as he remains with Petronas for 2021, the announcement raising questions over the second spot, however, with both Dixon and Moto3’s John McPhee in the running after strong performances with the Sepang team.
A steady start to the morning’s session saw Schrotter hold the times at the halfway stage before Aron Canet hit the top with 10 minutes to go, Lowes following to second moments later with Bo Bendsneyder in third.
The final seven minutes saw things improve again as Marini briefly advanced to the top of the times before Lowes stole the position with a 1’44.580, the duo continuing to upgrade their times for the following revolutions as the Brit set a blistering 1’44.122 on his 15th lap to command the session at the flag.
Marini was forced to settle for second ahead of Tetsuta Nagashima, Canet and Fabio Di Giannantonio, Dixon sitting 11th with just half a second separating third to 15th.
Rain threatened from the hills as the riders returned for Friday’s final practice but it was blue skies and blustering winds as the 40-minute countdown began. Schrotter again set the early pace from Marini, Lowes and Martin, with Remy Gardner making his presence known after a quiet morning had seen him down in 19th.
The opening 10 minutes continued with a flurry of times as the field looked to improve their pace, Lowes advancing again to second with Marco Bezzecchi, Thomas Luthi and Canet joining the party and Dixon also back in the mix in eighth.
15’ to go saw Schrotter retain control ahead of Lowes and teammate Fernandez with Jorge Navarro, Bezzecchi and Gardner in the top-six but with times remaining slower than those of the morning.
A late-charge from Marcos Ramirez saw the American Racing rider advance from 22nd to sixth while turn-two crashes called time early on Dixon and Gardner’s Friday with seven minutes still to play.
The closing stages saw Di Giannantonio and Vierge hit the top-three, the latter’s times improved enough from his morning effort to finally grant him a provisional Q2 position, over Bezzecchi, Enea Bastianini and Canet.
Lowes’ striking morning effort remained the fastest of the day with Marini and Schrotter rounding out the combined top-three ahead of Di Giannantonio, Nagashima and Canet.
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