MotoGP | Gp Austin FP2: Ducati double, Rins surprises

MotoGP Americas GP Austin GP Free Practice 2 – The second free practice session of the American Grand Prix, the third race of the 2023 MotoGP, was as usual very close.

Friday, with the introduction of the Sprint Race and qualifying on Saturday morning, becomes fundamental for direct entry into Q2, which until last year happened on Saturday morning with FP3.

The fastest of this day was Jorge Martin, who aboard the Ducati Pramac lapped in 2:02.178 and who preceded his brand mate Pecco Bagnaia, who "stopped" with his Ducati #1 at just 63 thousandths .

Alex Rins (winner of the 2019 edition, ed.) surprises, finishing third on the Honda of Team LCR, the only bike from the Tokyo manufacturer to directly access Q2. The ex-Suzuki Spaniard preceded the Ducatis of Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team, the fastest in FP1) and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing) and the best of the Aprilias, those of Maverick Vinales, sixth just over half a second from the top .

Fabio Quartararo, gritting his teeth and giving it his all, managed to record the seventh fastest time, which although far from the top, is still a nice injection of confidence for Yamaha's #20. “El Diablo” preceded Brad Binder's KTM, the second Aprilia, that of Aleix Espargarò and Jack Miller, who finished tenth with the second KTM Factory and was the last to directly access Q2.

The winner of the Argentine Grand Prix Marco Bezzecchi didn't make it, finishing 11th and losing direct access to Q37 by just 2 thousandths.

The same fate befell the returning Joan Mir, among others, who finished 12th with the Honda Factory and with a big scare. In the last attempt, the #36 found Johann Zarco's bike, who had fallen shortly before, in the middle of the track. Big scare, but fortunately no problems for the former Suzuki.

Franco Morbidelli was disappointing compared to Termas de Rio Hondo, only 16th and ahead of Ducati tester Michele Pirro. Fabio Di Giannantonio with the second Ducati of Team Gresini finished 19th, while the performance of Jonas Folger was disheartening, as he aboard the KTM of Team GASGAS in place of the injured Pol Espargarò took over 4 seconds, almost two seconds from the team -mate Augusto Fernandez, category rookie.