2016 Spielberg MotoGP FP3 Result: Ducati Reign Over Dramatic Session

Sun’s out, drama’s out in Spielberg. With eighteen degrees of track temperature, the Ducatis gave the rest a chance to catch up before seriously twisting the throttle in the final minutes of FP3. An Andrea Iannone with an injured rib set the fastest time of the weekend late into the session.

Four tenths away was the Suzuki of Maverick Viñales, proving that yesterday’s performance was hardly a fluke helped by the cold weather. The reigning world champion followed in third position, Lorenzo half a second off Iannone’s time.

A literally last minute lap for Scott Redding saw him take fourth place, under a tenth of a second in front of Valentino Rossi. Another injury, another great performance from Aleix Espargaro, the Suzuki rider earning sixth position, in front of an Andrea Dovizioso who failed to improve on Friday’s time and a still fast Hector Barbera.

The Hondas started strong, the Repsol duo being amongst the first riders to improve on their Friday times but nearing the halfway of the session, championship leader Marc Marquez lost control into turn three, crashing heavily and almost taking his teammate out with him. As a dislocated shoulder was popped back in, taped accordingly and sent to a local hospital for further evaluation, the Spaniard did not rejoin the action, with a ninth position assuring his Q2 presence.

On the other side of the garage, the warmer conditions aided Dani Pedrosa’s tyre troubles to move him into the top ten, over a second and a half faster than on Friday and guaranteeing a Q2 spot as well.

Results: