MotoGP, Bagnaia is the fastest at Mugello. Bezzecchi second

SHOES – On the free day the Mugello has turned red, with 4 Borgo Panigale jewels in the first 6 bikes and Bagnaia ahead of everyone: the authority with which the world champion set the fastest lap – ahead of the other Ducati by 63 thousandths Bezzecchiwho is just one point behind him in the standings – leaves a good taste already in view of the sprint race scheduled for tomorrow at 3pm. rain, even if the superiority of the Italian bikes is still evident.

Rins and Binder surrounded by the jewels of Borgo Panigale

In the midst of the red herd are a Honda and a KTM. Japanese is not to Marc Márquez: Rins, who has already surprised everyone in April by winning in Austin, earns a place in the virtual front row with the third fastest time. Behind him the South African Binder. Then it’s up to the Gp23 registered by Pramac Martinthen it’s the turn of a well found Bastianini: the other rider of the official Ducati team, absent from the first Portuguese sprint race due to a bad fracture of his right scapula, returned brilliantly. The Beast can’t be at 100% and will probably pay for the effort in the long race on Sunday, but on the 11 laps scheduled for tomorrow at 3pm, he promises to be among the protagonists. Seventh time for Zarco and 8th for the Cannibal, who crashed as usual and despite this showed his enormous talent. Among those who pass directly to Q2 there is the other Gp22 of Mooney Vr46, driven by Marines: is 10th preceded by Aprilia by Aleix Espargarò, who like Valentino’s brother is dealing with some physical problems. Forced to Q1, the qualifying of the worst, are the other official rider from Noale (Vinales) and of course the Yamaha duo, with the increasingly disappointing Quartararo (15th) e Morbidelli (16th). A step back also for Alex Marquez (13th) while his team mate Gresini, Di Giannantoniodoes not go beyond the 19th chrono e Savadors on the third Aprilia he is 23rd.

Bagnaia regains his smile: “And if it rains, no problem”

“Happy with the strategy, we worked well in the afternoon even in difficult conditions due to the temperature: the time attack is good”. Bagnaia has regained his smile, the fracture of a small bone in his right ankle doesn’t affect him too much: “It bothers me more when I walk or climb stairs than when I get on the bike. Maybe I’m not in the best position, but my riding style doesn’t change. Tomorrow it may rain, the grip isn’t exceptional: but in the wet in Argentina I felt comfortable, even if I crashed afterwards. He’ll have to be very careful, because I can’t afford any more ‘zero'”, confesses the world champion . Which in the afternoon he wrote to Valentino Rossi to congratulate him after his success at the wheel of the BMW: “he replied asking me how it went here. I’m glad that things are going well for him, he’s on his way”. Pecco says he saw a fast Bezzecchi. “Binder and Zarco also have a good pace”.

Bezzecchi ok, Bastianini’s return: “What a struggle”

The Bez seems satisfied: “But it’s only Friday. It was important to set a decent time, the pace is good, I have to fix something and choose the right tires for the sprint race. We hope to stay ahead of everyone for a long time, Bagnaia and I”. he hopes. Another happy Rimini native is Bastianini: “I thought it was worse, it wasn’t obvious to be fast right away after a long absence. The bike immediately gave me confidence, the team helped me a lot with some modifications and I was in line with the best on time-attack “If it rains tomorrow, I won’t be forced to force too much. But the real fatigue will come with Sunday’s race. At the moment I’m struggling with direction changes: Biondetti, Casanova-Savelli, Palagio. I’ll have to manage the pain and tiredness well.”