Michael Scott | October 19, 2018
2018 MotoGP Motegi Friday Results
The battle of Motegi began on the previous evening, when Andrea Dovizioso promised to do his damnedest to prevent Marc Marquez tying up the title in Japan. As long as the Ducati finishes ahead of the Repsol Honda, he will succeed.
2018 MotoGP Motegi Friday Results
It continued into the first day of practice, when Dovi took to the top slot in the closing stages; and erstwhile leader Marquez was dropped to fourth, albeit only 0.14 if a second slower.
The times came in the morning, with damp in the afternoon keeping several riders – including Dovi and Marquez – waiting it out in their pits.
Team LCR Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow was the top Honda, a tenth down on Dovi; with fellow independent rider Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha) third.
The top nine riders were within a second of the leader.
The Yamaha mystery continued, with Maverick Vinales a close fifth and Movistar team-mate Valentino Rossi ninth. The signs were good after the revival at the Thai GP a fortnight ago, but race distance will be the proof.
Andrea Iannone (Ecstar Suzuki) was sixth, then Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Ducati) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati).
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) rounded out the top ten ahead of Dani Pedrosa, which might be crucial, with a chance of a damp start tomorrow meaning that the FP1 times will determine who goes straight into Q2.
Light rain had started soon after the end of the morning outing, and with the track and the air moist in the afternoon, Crutchlow, Aleix Espargaro and Avintia Ducati substitute rider Jordi Torres followed Dovi and Marquez by staying in the pits. Others only went out right at the end, when it was dry enough for slicks, and this was when the times came.
Pedrosa pushed through to the top at the end, ousting Scott Redding (Aprilia), Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Ducati) and Zarco; but times were some three seconds off the best of the morning.
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