MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Rain evaded the intermediate class action but the drying surface meant that both red sectors and unlucky fallers were the order of the day. Remy Gardner in particular had a bit of both, the Tech 3 rider having a big highside while leading in the first 15 minutes of the session. Despite the misfortune, it took until well past the halfway mark of the session for anyone to threaten his lead. Iker Lecuona was the main threat all along and the threat became reality in the final third of the session, when the Spaniard picked up top spot. Fairly familiar with each other’s company, Pecco Bagnaia and Miguel Oliveira spent their sessions in close company towards the bottom of the top ten but then the Portuguese rider made a sudden move to snatch top spot. That was not the end of the story, the final couple of minutes seeing plenty of colour on the timescreens and Xavi Vierge brought it home by one tenth of a second ahead of Sam Lowes.

Oliveira dropped to third, while Niki Tuuli made it as high as fourth despite an early tumble. Early leader Gardner rejoined the action to secure fifth, half a second off the leader and marginally ahead of Alex Marquez and Lecuona. Jesko Raffin had a great morning in eighth position, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri and Jorge Navarro – the Italian ending the session with a tip off in turn two.

The likes of Marcel Schrotter and Fabio Quartararo missed out on top ten positions but still finished within eight tenths of a second of the leader. Pasini finished 16th while adding his name to the crash list, while Bagnaia cautiously circulated in 17th spot.

Results: