VIÑALES NINTH, ESPARGARÓ TENTH AND OLIVEIRA FOURTH TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH TO Q2, SAVADORI TWENTY-SECOND
Maverick Viñales found good sensations in the first free practice session, doing the fastest time in 1'46.140. During the Practice session, the Spanish rider did consistent time attacks, finishing ninth, just four tenths behind the leader to go straight through to Q2.
Aleix Espargaró, having difficulty finding the right feeling, finished FP1 in seventh place. In Practice, he improved on his time, managing to finish tenth, which puts him straight through to Q2 as well.
Lorenzo Savadori, in his second wild card of the season after Jerez, continues to make positive progress with his development work on the RS-GP24, finishing the Practice session in twenty-second place.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
"I feel at ease with the bike and I’m able to take it to the limit. On the fast turns, I’m able to ride extremely well and the bike has a lot of potential with the medium rear tyre. Starting from the front will be very important."
ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"I didn’t feel good on the bike, especially on the fast turns. Despite the sensations not being the best, we are all close. My race pace isn’t bad. I think it will be a group race and it will be fun."
LORENZO SAVADORI
"Three Aprilias in Q2, with Maverick and Aleix, along with Oliveira, is an extremely positive result. We worked on aerodynamics, weight distribution, and setup. We are focused on improving the bike constantly."
PAOLO BONORA
“In any case, a positive day because it’s always hard to stay out front in Mugello. We went straight through to Q2, so both riders did an outstanding job, as well as Lorenzo, who is advancing work on development. Staying out front will be extremely important because it is fundamental to stay with the group here.”