KTM’s Pedro Acosta set the early pace as he topped the timesheets in the opening MotoGP practice session in Barcelona.
Acosta used a brand-new front tyre in the dying stages of the session to set the fastest time of 1:38.979.
The Spanish rider completed the session 0.095s clear of LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco in second, with the Frenchman also using a new tyre.
Marc Marquez led the majority of the session, but elected not to run a new tyre in the final minutes as he took third ahead of Maverick Vinales on the Catalan’s return to Tech3 KTM.
Alex Marquez began his weekend in strong form as he took the flag in fifth, while Luca Marini was sixth for the factory Honda outlet.
Brad Binder continued KTM’s strong start in Barcelona with a seventh in practice, as Marco Bezzecchi was eighth for Aprilia.
Aleix Espargaro entered the weekend as a wildcard for Honda and finished the session in ninth.
Enea Bastianini had a mechanical issue early in the session, but rejoined practice to ensure all KTM riders finished inside the top 10.
Jack Miller completed his first practice of the weekend in 11th, while Raul Fernandez took 12th ahead of Miguel Oliveira to split the Pramac Yamaha riders.
Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura ended practice in 14th, beating fellow rookie Fermin Aldeguer who was 15th.
Alex Rins took the flag in 16th to finish ahead of VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio in 17th, while Yamaha team-mate Fabio Quartararo struggled in 18th.
Franco Morbidelli took 19th over the line, as Joan Mir finished the opening practice in 20th.
Jorge Martin ended practice in 21st, less than a tenth ahead of Aprilia wildcard Lorenzo Savadori in 22nd.
Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles aboard his Ducati appeared to continue as he finished down in 23rd, while Somkiat Chantra completed the standings on his return to action.
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