LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl halted a Marc Marquez charge to the top of the Catalunya MotoGP timesheets this morning, taking charge with his final lap of the session which pushed the reigning champion into second place.
Marquez had bagged top spot with a 1’41.551 on his fourth lap to overtake Aleix Espargaro’s time from yesterday but Bradl had other ideas, going almost two tenths faster on a 1’41.357 just as the chequered flag appeared, leaving the pack no time to hit back.
Britain’s Bradley Smith showed his form from yesterday was no flash in the pan, dropping his time to a 1’41.721 which was enough for fourth overall, behind Espargaro but and ahead of the factory Honda of Dani Pedrosa, who found almost four tenths overnight to go fifth overall despite running on at turn ten.
The Movistar Yamahas of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi finished in sixth and seventh with almost identical times of 1’41.817 and 1’41.860 respectively. The Doctor gave Ducati’s Yonny Hernandez a tow around to pull the Columbian up into eighth and he ended the session as the fastest of the Bologna bikes.
Works Desmosedici pilot Andrea Dovizioso was next along in ninth while Pol Espargaro bounced back from an early wobble into the gravel to occupy the final automatic place in qualifying two later this afternoon.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was as high as seventh the session but slipped back into 12th behind Alvaro Bautista and will have to go through the qualifying one process in order to fight for a place in the top ten.
Nicky Hayden is still contending with his injured wrist but managed to haul his way into 14th behind Andrea Iannone, with fellow American Colin Edwards completing the top 15. Scott Redding also had a trip into the gravel and finished in 17th with Michael Laverty 21st.
