MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro fastest as Honda’s struggles continue at Silverstone

Aleix Espargaro was the fastest rider on the Aprilia after day one at Silverstone.

Aprilia was at the top at the end of day one at Silverstone with Aleix Espargaro onboard the machine after an incredible final sector. Espargaro set a time of 1’58.183 and set 19 laps in the new 60-minute Practice session. With a brand-new format this weekend, Aleix will go straight to Q2 – the top 10 riders will progress straight to Q2 after the Practice.

Jorge Martin was in second position on the Pramac Ducati with all talk on who will be alongside the Spaniard next season. Martin set a 1’58.854 lap time after ending the day as the top Ducati. 

It was three manufacturers in the top three with Brad Binder in third position, Binder went to the top briefly at the start of the session. KTM looked comfortable at Silverstone with Binder and Miller able to slide the bike.

Maverick Vinales crashed in the first 10 minutes and had a monster highside, leaving the 28-year-old to limp to the pits. Vinales was ahead of Johann Zarco with the Frenchman ending the day in fifth. 

After looking lost in the day’s opening session, Francesco Bagnaia ended Practice in sixth position. Bagnaia was eight-tenths of a second from Espargaro at the top, ending the day as the top factory Ducati. 

After finishing fastest in the opening session of the day, Marco Bezzecchi ended the day in seventh position. Bezzecchi was the top VR46 Ducati rider at the end of the day, the Italian set a 1’59.018 lap time.

After some amazing shots of Jack Miller’s KTM getting backed in, the Australian ended the session in eighth. Miller was one second from the fastest rider, hoping for a great result after the summer break.

Marini suffers fast crash in Practice

Luca Marini had a fast crash at Stowe corner, losing the front at around 100mph onboard his VR46 Ducati. Marini managed to make it back out onto the circuit, ending the day in ninth position and inside Q2.

The final place inside Q2 went to Alex Marquez, who continued to impress in his first season with Gresini Ducati. He was ahead of Fabio Quartararo who will now have to go through Q1 tomorrow morning. Quartararo had a tank slapper at Chapel Curve and ended the session ahead of Morbidelli.

Honda and Marc Marquez continued to struggle, with no Honda inside the top 10 spaces after day one. Marquez tried a long run on the soft-soft tyre combination, with the 30-year-old taking his time on day one. 

Enea Bastianini continues to gain his confidence after breaking his shoulder blade at the start of the season. He ended the day in 15^th position and had a highside during the Practice start session.

Pol Espargaro made his return to the paddock for the first time since March, with the Spaniard to make his first start of the season. Espargaro finished 21^st after day one just two and a half seconds from his brother Aleix.

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