Espargaro pips Marquez

Phillip Island – Aleix Espargaro pipped world championship leader Marc Marquez to set the fastest time in yesterday’s practice ahead of this weekend’s Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

The Spanish Aprilia rider posted a quickest lap of one minute 29.225 seconds in second free practice on a dry track ahead of tomorrow’s race.

Espargaro’s time, set on the fifth lap of his afternoon session, prevailed by just 0.005secs over Marquez, who almost bettered the time on his penultimate lap.

“It is just the first day, but we are clearly doing a great job,” Espargaro said.

“We can improve on pace. The RS-GP (bike) still doesn’t turn the way I would like it to and I am lacking a bit of feeling on the front.

“Finding a good feeling for the race will be fundamental.”

Marquez, who leads the world championship by 11 points with three races left, clocked 1:29.230 following his chart-topping 1:29.602 in the morning session.

“I think for tomorrow (today) we can try and further improve the set-up, especially the stability of the bike in the fast corners,” Marquez said.

Andrea Dovizioso (above) was third quickest overall, finishing just 0.097secs behind Espargaro.

“We have to work to improve a few aspects, because in any case Marquez was also very quick and there are other riders who have a good pace,” Dovizioso said.

Ducati’s Dovizioso downed Marquez on the final lap to win last weekend’s rain-soaked Japanese GP and is second in the world championship.

Briton Cal Crutchlow, the winner of last year’s Australian race, was fourth fastest on a Honda. –