Aprilia’s Espargaro edges past champion
UNSUNG Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro upstaged Honda superstar Marc Marquez on the opening day of practice for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island yesterday.
The Spaniard, whose sole MotoGP podium was second at Aragon three years ago, clocked a time of 1.29.225 in the afternoon session, eclipsing world champion Marquez by a mere 0.005 sec.
Queenslander Jack Miller also produced an eye-catching performance on the Marc VDS Honda, third quickest in the morning session and then sixth, and faster, in the afternoon.
Miller, returning to racing just three weeks after breaking his leg in a dirt bike accident, said he was feeling good.
“The leg’s a little bit stiff. But I feel comfortable on the bike – when I’m riding I don’t really feel it too much,” he said.
With showers forecast, his chances are expected to rise.
“But at the moment I give myself a chance in the dry and I give myself a chance in the wet,” Miller said.
Espargaro, whose best race result this year has been a sixth, defied the form book with a scorching lap around the 4.445km seaside circuit.
The afternoon session was faster and warmer than morning practice.
Third fastest was factory Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, again looming close to title rival Marquez, just 0.092 seconds back.
Former world champions Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) were 11th and 12th fastest. TV: Catch all the action on both days on Fox Sports