Valencia GP: AN OPENING DAY ACCORDING TO PLAN
Apart from a small issue with the engine brake, everything went according to Stefan Bradl’s plan during Friday’s practice sessions.
For the 25-year-old Aprilia rider it was an encouraging start again as Bradl was recorded with the eleventh fastest lap time during this morning’s FP1. Accompanied by beautiful weather, conditions improved for the second session this afternoon, Bradl was able to set a similar pace likewise during FP1 but he was slowed down during the later stages when he and his crew struggled with engine problems. In any case, it was a promising start into a weekend again even he concluded Friday’s combined timesheet in P16to drop down the order from this morning.
#6 Stefan BRADL (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, Aprilia), FP1: 11. – 1´32.514 (15/19) / FP2: 19. – 1´32.842 (15/20):
“In general the weekend started off well. I’m quite pleased how things went during the first free practice session this morning because we started with the setup we used last time out in Malaysia and everything worked out well. In the afternoon the conditions were even better so we were able to try the harder front tyre and we continued do to some tests with the soft rear option to work on our race pace. Unfortunately, however, in my last run we were slowed by a problem with the engine brake, which cost us a few places in the combined timesheets finally. Nevertheless, I’m confident for tomorrow. Once this problem is solved we’ll be able to be fast again.”
Combined Practice Times FP1/FP2:
1 Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Movistar Yamaha MotoGP / Yamaha / 1´31.111 (FP2)
2 Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´31.250 +0.139 (FP1)
3 Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / Honda / 1´31.377 +0.266 (FP2)
16 Stefan BRADL / GER / Aprilia Racing Team Gresini / Aprilia / 1´32.514 + 1.403 (FP1)