Fabio Quartararo came out the blocks fastest at Misano in FP1 of the San Marino Grand Prix, the Petronas SRT man nearly four tenths clear of Marc Marquez.
Marquez set the early pace with a 1:34.217 following the first set of flying laps, but was relegated to second by Quartararo’s own early effort of 1:33.910.
The pair continued to swap places at the head of the timesheets throughout the session, Marquez posting a 1:33.747 before Quartararo squeaked back ahead with a 1:33.627.
From that point onwards the Frenchman continued to improve his pace, eventually setting his fastest lap of the session- a 1:33.153- in the closing minutes to head Marquez by 0.376.
Maverick Vinales was third on his factory Yamaha machine, the last man within half-a-second of Quartararo, while Michele Pirro impressed as top Ducati in fourth in what is his second wildcard appearance of the season after Mugello in June.
Aleix Espargaro slotted his Aprilia into fifth spot, 0.551 down on Quartararo’s benchmark, just over two tenths clear of brother Pol Espargaro who made sure five of the six manufacturers featured inside the top six.
Franco Morbidelli was seventh fastest on the second SRT machine ahead of Danilo Petrucci, while Misano hero Valentino Rossi managed ninth ahead of an impressive Esteve Rabat, who rounded out the top ten for Avintia despite a spill in the closing stages.
The Spaniard tried to pass Jorge Lorenzo’s Honda at Turn 5, but got on the gas too early and high-sided, going down as a result.
Two other riders suffered crashes during the 45 minute session, both at Turn 8. Andrea Iannone and Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller both tucked the front of their respective bikes into the banked corner, but thanks to the relatively slow entry speed both escaped with minor damage to their machines.
Alex Rins could manage only 12th as fastest Suzuki just behind Andrea Dovizioso, while Lorenzo once again struggled for speed as he continues to recover from a broken back, the Honda rider posting a time 2.111 down on Quartararo.
