Catalunya MotoGP First Practice Results: Aprilia Duet Powers, Beats Jorge Martin

The 2023 MotoGP World Championship roared into Barcelona for the Catalan Grand Prix’s 11th round. Practice sessions were intense, thanks to high temperatures and low grip. Aleix Espargaro, on home turf, made the most of these challenging conditions, sweeping Friday practice.

Francesco Bagnaia’s Challenge

For Francesco Bagnaia, the start of practice didn’t go as planned. Ducati’s adaptation to low grip and high temperatures can be tricky. However, Bagnaia quickly found his footing, unlike in Jerez, where it took until Saturday morning to find a comfortable setup. In Barcelona, he achieved this within the first half of Friday afternoon’s session.

Aprilia’s Star Performance

Bagnaia may have finished third in practice, but Aprilia was the real star. Aleix Espargaro, one of the few riders to use a soft tire in FP1, claimed the top spot, underscoring his pace’s legitimacy on Friday afternoon. He concluded the day 0.362 seconds ahead of the nearest competition, setting a new lap record in the process.

Aprilia’s Dynamic Duo

Aprilia’s success was further highlighted by Maverick Vinales, who secured second place. This impressive performance marked an Aprilia 1-2 finish that left a powerful impression during the Catalunya MotoGP’s opening practice sessions.

An Intriguing Start To The Catalan Grand Prix

As the 2023 MotoGP season unfolds, Aprilia seems poised to challenge the established giants. Their dominant display in the first practice session sets the stage for an intriguing Catalan Grand Prix. Jorge Martin and other competitors will be chasing Aprilia’s newfound prowess as the weekend progresses.