Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez2013 Catalunya MotoGP Free Practice 3 ResultsRepsol Honda’s Marc Marquez led the third and final practice at Catalunya MotoGP Saturday that decides what qualifying session the riders will progress to later this afternoon.
FP3 was followed by FP4, which was led by Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, but FP4 is basically for further dialing in before qualifying.Marquez, who finished sixth fastest on Friday, posted a 1:41.853 around the 2.937-mile Spanish circuit containing 13 corners; this was a new fastest lap at Catalunya. The rookie, who crashed during the third-to-last lap at Mugello two weeks ago for his first premier-class DNF, was 0.063 of a second quicker than Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden.Hayden broke the top speed record on Friday with a 210.8 mph aboard the GP13, but was even quicker on Saturday during FP3; the American was able to reach 212.1 mph.The current MotoGP Championship leader, Pedrosa, was 0.134 of a second behind his teammate, with Friday’s leader, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Valentino Rossi, a further 0.156 of a second back.The nine-time World Champion was followed by Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow. Rossi’s World Champion teammate in the Yamaha Factory Racing outfit Jorge Lorenzo ended up sixth, using bike two for most of the practice following an early crash at turn 5.The free practice top ten was completed by LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl, Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista and the ever impressive Aleix Espargaro – who again makes Q2 for the Power Electronics Aspar team.Missing out on top 10 spots in the combined free practice timesheets are the likes of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Bradley Smith and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone who therefore participate in Q1 and will attempt to make Q2.A crash at the end of the session for Avintia Blusens rider Hiroshi Aoyama saw him taken to the Medical Centre for examinations of a left hand injury, after he also hurt his left thumb at Mugello.The riders are currently participating in the qualifying positions; results will be posted soon.2013 Catalunya MotoGP Free Practice Results:
This week, Senior Editor Nic de Sena rides the all new Ducati Monster. Big changes have been made by Ducati–has the company ruined the considerable heritage of the iconic Monster–or are the changes worth it? In the second part of the show, we chat with Nick Ienatsch, Founder and Head Instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School. He says: “We aim to change your riding life by introducing you to Champions Habits: The techniques, approaches, skills, and the mindsets of the best riders in the world. These Champions Habits are the foundation of safety and consistency to whatever speed you ride, in any venue on any bike. Street riders, this is just as much for you as track riders. The best way to make safe riders is to make good riders.“ We hope you enjoy this episode!
