MotoGP Results: First blood to Marquez, Honda in Spanish MotoGP FP1
Marc Marquez picks up from where he left off by topping FP1 for the Spanish MotoGP at Jerez, Round 1 of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship
Marc Marquez hit the ground running in first free practice for the 2020 Spanish MotoGP at Jerez as the 2020 season finally kicked off in Jerez with the Honda man on top.
With less than a second covering 19 of the 22 riders, Marquez got the better of Maverick Vinales by a mere 0.024s, while Cal Crutchlow made it two Hondas inside the top three in third position.
The result will be seen as a positive start for Honda, which was forced into a rethink of the RC213V design after the 2020 model was criticised for its poor handling.
Andrea Dovizioso showed fell ill-effects from his recent shoulder troubles as he turned in the fourth best lap, ahead of top Suzuki Joan Mir, Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller and Alex Rins.
KTM enjoyed a strong start to the weekend with Pol Espargaro setting the eight best time, followed closely by his compatriots Iker Lecuona and Brad Binder.
Meanwhile, Valentino Rossi was 13th fastest, while Danilo Petrucci – who was hurt in a fall during testing could only manage the 21st best lap.
2020 Spanish MotoGP – Jerez
| Spanish MotoGP Results - Free Practice 1 | ||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Team | Time |
| 1 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | 1m 37.350 |
| 2 | Maverick Viñales | SPA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | 1m 37.374 |
| 3 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | LCR Honda | 1m 37.438 |
| 4 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | Ducati Team | 1m 37.471 |
| 5 | Joan Mir | ESP | Team Suzuki Ecstar | 1m 37.481 |
| 6 | Jack Miller | AUS | Pramac Ducati | 1m 37.487 |
| 7 | Alex Rins | SPA | Team Suzuki Ecstar | 1m 37.569 |
| 8 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1m 37.712 |
| 9 | Iker Lecuona | ESP | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | 1m 37.714 |
| 10 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1m 37.923 |
| 11 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Reale Avintia Racing Ducati | 1m 37.940 |
| 12 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Petronas Yamaha SRT | 1m 37.982 |
| 13 | Valentino Rossi | ITA | Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP | 1m 38.118 |
| 14 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda | 1m 38.129 |
| 15 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | 1m 38.209 |
| 16 | Alex Marquez | ESP | Repsol Honda Team | 1m 38.212 |
| 17 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Petronas Yamaha SRT | 1m 38.316 |
| 18 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Pramac Ducati | 1m 38.338 |
| 19 | Tito Rabat | ESP | Reale Avintia Racing Ducati | 1m 38.337 |
| 20 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | 1m 38.506 |
| 21 | Danilo Petrucci | ITA | Ducati Team | 1m 38.507 |
| 22 | Bradley Smith | GBR | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | 1m 38.730 |
