Espargaro sets pace at German MotoGP as Marquez bounces back from crash

ALEIX Espargaro put the factory Honda and Yamaha teams in the shade in practice for Sunday’s German MotoGP.

ALEIX Espargaro put the factory Honda and Yamaha teams in the shade in practice for Sunday’s German MotoGP while world championship leader Marc Marquez shrugged off a painful crash.

Espargaro on a NGM Forward Racing Yamaha clocked a best time of 1min 22.041 sec, having been fastest in both sessions.

World champion Marquez, on the leading factory Honda, was second quickest, 0.117 sec behind fellow-Spaniard Espargaro, having suffered a big crash earlier in the day in the first session.

“I feel great, and it was fantastic to ride here, like last year. We explored a lot of different settings,” said Espargaro, who achieved a career-best fourth place at Assen last time out.

“I did 22 laps on the rear soft tyre, it was strong till the end. I think we can race with the soft like in Assen but the temperature can change a lot here in Germany.”

Marquez hurt his neck in the crash which came at Turn 3 with the Spaniard admitting it was caused by a problem with the gears on his all-conquering machine.

“The day went very well, because even though I crashed I was fortunate not to get injured, but the impact was hard. The crash was a little strange, but when we looked at the telemetry later on we understood why it happened,” said the world champion.

“It’s a long left turn in second gear on the throttle the whole time, and I accidentally touched the gear shift lever with the toe of my boot. This engaged another gear and as I was leant so far over — and had the gas open — the rear wheel slid out and I was thrown off.”

Jorge Lorenzo, on a factory Yamaha, was third fastest at a track where he was missing last year because of a serious shoulder injury picked up at Assen and which compromised his title defence.

He was 0.327 sec off the pace with Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP), Alvaro Bautista (GO & FUN Honda Gresini) and Valentino Rossi (factory Yamaha) making up the top six.

Marquez is chasing a ninth win in nine races on Sunday with the flying Spaniard on course to have the title wrapped up in record time.

Espargaro in action at the German MotoGP. Picture: MotoGP.com

The Honda rider has a 72-point lead in the championship with teammate Dani Pedrosa and Rossi, both of whom have just signed new deals with their respective teams, locked in second spot.

Marquez, 21, already has a successful track record at the Sachsenring having won on his last four visits — in the 125 class in 2010, in Moto2 in 2011 and 2012 and in his first MotoGP last year.

Victory on Sunday will mean he would have won every race across the opening half of the season.

In a stunning season, the defending champion has already become the 13th most successful rider of all-time in terms of wins, having celebrated his 40th victory at Assen two weeks ago.

He now targets a 25th podium in the elite class having become the first rider to claim eight straight wins since the top category was introduced at the start of 2002.

Only six other riders in history having won eight or more MotoGP races in a single season — Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Rossi, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo.

Australia’s Broc Parkes ended the day 23rd as he learns his way around the circuit.

In Moto2, Anthony West carried some of his fast form in the wet at Assen into the dry conditions at the Sachsenring, the Dutch TT winner ending the day with the 14th fastest time behind Marc VDS Team pacesetters Mika Kallio and Esteve Rabat.

Aussie Jack Miller in Moto3. Picture: MotoGP.com

In Moto3, Jack Miller is trying to stamp his mark on the weekend from the start. The Australian world championship leader topped both sessions, ending Friday 0.2 seconds faster than his nearest rival.

”We felt very comfortable with the bike from the beginning,” Miller said. “We have to continue working with the front end feeling, but overall the bike is working very well – especially the rear tyre.

“Let’s see how we go tomorrow and how we can setup the bike ready for the race.”

Fellow Moto3 Aussie Arthur Sissis ended the day 22nd fastest on his Mahindra, after spending the bulk of the morning session inside the top 10.

There’s excellent news down in the Red Bull Rookies Cup too, with Australia’s Olly Simpson taking his first pole position for their two races across the weekend.

The 16-year-old earnt the honours by being quickest in practice before the class’s qualifying session was washed out by a thunderstorm.

Olly Simpson too pole position. Picture: MotoGP.com