Bagnaia quickest at Italian MotoGP practice

World champion Francesco Bagnaia topped the timesheets after Friday's practice at the Italian MotoGP.
Bagnaia, on a factory Ducati, arrived in Mugello for this sixth round of the season nursing an ankle injury suffered in a last time out crash in France.
Despite walking with the aid of a crutch once on the bike he proved he is the man to beat in both today’s sprint and tomorrow’s main event.
His quickest lap in the afternoon session was six hundredths of a second faster than Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati-VR46), who is just one point behind Bagnaia in the overall standings.
The Honda LCR team’s Spanish rider Alex Rins was placed third ahead of the KTM of South African Brad Binder.
Bagnaia said: “I’m happy with the performance, we worked well today. We improved a lot compared to this morning, when we decided not to go with the soft rear, it didn’t rain so it was a good strategy. Also in terms of feeling with used tyres, I’m very happy and I feel prepared for the Sprint Race tomorrow. The time-attack went well in one of the most wonderful tracks in the calendar, so I’m happy about the first day.”
He added: “For sure we have to wait a bit because it looks like the conditions will change tomorrow with rain, but we are prepared for everything. I’m happy to be in Q2, and my goal is to do a smart race because in case of rain it’s important to be competitive and not take many risks.”
Marc Marquez hit the deck but the six-time champion rushed back to his factory Honda garage to jump on a replacement bike and post the eighth best time yesterday.
There was disappointment for 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo who could only muster the 16th best time on his Yamaha and must finish in the top two in the first qualifying session today to go through to the second qualifying session and a shot at pole.
MotoGP legend Rossi stars on four wheels at Le MansRetired motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi’s switch from two wheels to four moved up a gear in spectacular fashion yeterday at Le Mans. The seven-time MotoGP world champion has his heart set on competing in next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the GT3 class. And the 44-year-old Italian got a first-hand look at the iconic Sarthe circuit behind the wheel of a BMW for the WRT team in the ‘Road To Le Mans’ support race. Finishing second with his teammate Jerome Policand, the duo were declared the winners after the car in front picked up a penalty.