The Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira (KTM) finished this Friday the first day of free practice of the MotoGP Australian Grand Prix in 11th position, just 0.042 seconds behind the fastest 10.
Oliveira, who had been 18th in the first of the day’s two sessions, finished the afternoon session in 11th position, 0.448 seconds behind the fastest Frenchman Johann Zarco (Ducati). Italian Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati) was second, 0.038 seconds behind the Frenchman, with Spaniard Pol Espargaró (Honda) third, 0.052 behind.
The first session was held with the track still damp and marked by the ‘invasion’ of a kangaroo which, however, did not cause any accidents.
A close call for the Wallaby and @aleixespargaro! #Australian GP pic.twitter.com/qn5gNcaqQz
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 14, 2022
In the second session, the asphalt was already dry and all the drivers improved their times.
With the prospect of rain for Saturday, the day on which the third free practice and qualifying session will take place, the riders are committed to guaranteeing a fast time today, which will allow them to qualify directly for the second qualifying phase (Q2), which brings together to the The 10 fastest in free practice and the two best in the first phase (Q1).
Frenchman Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), who comes into this 18th of the 20 races of the season at the top of the championship, two points ahead of Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), was fourth, while the Italian was eighth.
Miguel Oliveira, winner of the previous event, in Thailand, played in the rain, is in eighth place in the championship, with 131 points, 88 behind Quartararo.
Source: TSF
