Moto2 Phillip Island, Free Practice 1: Espargarò well, problems for Marquez

Polyccio Espargarò achieved the best time in the first free practice session of the AirAsia Australian Grand Prix, the penultimate stage of the 2012 world championship, which will end on November 11th on the Spanish circuit of Valencia.

The Team Pons driver put his Kalex ahead of everyone with a time of 1:34.795, a time more than half a second better than that set by the second-placed Scott Redding, aboard the Kalex of the Marc VDS Racing Team. An excellent start therefore for Espargarò who still has some chances at the world championship. On the contrary, a nightmare start for his compatriot and world championship leader Marc Marquez, struggling with technical problems on his Suter from Team Catalunya Caixa Repsol. His turn with the 2010 125cc world champion was truly troubled as he returned to the pits several times with the bike he didn't want to leave.

Returning to the time rankings, we find the Swiss Thomas Luthi with the third fastest time, riding the Suter. The Team Interwetten-Paddock driver who lapped in 1:35.391 was followed by Mika Kallio, Mike di Meglio, Anthony West and our Andrea Iannone and Simone Corsi, in seventh and eighth position respectively. The gap between the two from the top is 1.078 and 1.155. Rounding out the Top Ten are Randy Krummenacher and Alex de Angelis, winner last Sunday in Sepang.