2022 Spanish MotoGP, Jerez - Free Practice (1) Results

* Rookie

Official Jerez MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Maverick Vinales SPA Yamaha 1m 36.584s (2020)
Fastest race lap:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 37.770s (2021)

Joan Mir leads a Suzuki one-two in opening practice for the Spanish MotoGP at Jerez, with Alex Marquez (LCR Honda), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) completing the top five.

Riding in bright sunshine but with some moisture on track due to overnight rain, Quartararo was soon leading the timesheets, but then lost the rear of his M1 through the final corner (probably due to a damp patch) and was flicked from his M1.

The Frenchman was left in clear discomfort after being hit in a 'delicate area' but was able to joke about it after finally returning to the Monster Yamaha garage at the halfway stage.

Quartararo, tied for the world championship lead with Alex Rins after victory last Sunday in Portimao, remained on top until Pol Espargaro put Repsol Honda fastest with 18mins to go, with team-mate Marc Marquez in third.

Mir, taken out of the podium fight when Jack Miller fell last Sunday, took over as the final ten minutes began with Quartararo climbing briefly back up to second before being demoted by Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro.

Quartararo looked set to snatch the P1 back in the closing minutes but the rear of his M1 kicked out once again, this time at Turn 8. The Frenchman kept control but, much to his frustration, the lap time was ruined. The hectic end of the session continued for Quartararo when he then ran off into the gravel at Turn 5.

Having no such issues was Alex Marquez, who momentarily shot to the top in the final minute before Mir responded. Team-mate Rins saved his best for the very last lap, slotting into second by just 0.025s.

The top ten riders, Mir to Miller, were covered by 0.560s with Marc Marquez slipping down the order to eleventh.

Tech3 KTM's Raul Fernandez, ruled out of last Sunday's Portimao round due to a right-hand injury in qualifying, has also been declared unfit for Jerez.

Factory test riders Stefan Bradl (Honda) and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia) are making wild-card card appearances this weekend, ahead of Monday's official test.

After third place for Aleix Espargaro in Portimao, one more podium finish for the RS-GP will mean Aprilia lose technical concessions.

Quartararo looked set for a comfortable victory at Jerez last season, only to fade from the lead with arm pump problems (for which he then underwent surgery) handing Ducati a one-two with Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia.

Franco Morbidelli completed the podium in third last year, taking what would be the final rostrum for Petronas Yamaha SRT.

Spanish MotoGP schedule – UK Time

Friday April 29

8.00-8.40am - Moto3 Free Practice 1

8.55-9.40am - MotoGP Free Practice 1

9.55-10.35am - Moto2 Free Practice 1

12.15-12.55pm - Moto3 Free Practice 2

1.10-1.55pm - MotoGP Free Practice 2

2.10pm-2.50pm - Moto2 Free Practice 2

Saturday April 30

8.00-8.40am - Moto3 Free Practice 3

8.55-9.40am - MotoGP Free Practice 3

9.55am-10.35am - Moto2 Free Practice 3

11.35am-11.50am - Moto3 Qualifying 1

12-12.15pm - Moto3 Qualifying 2

12.30-1pm - MotoGP Free Practice 4

1.10-1.25pm - MotoGP Qualifying 1

1.35-1.50pm - MotoGP Qualifying 2

2.10-2.25pm - Moto2 Qualifying 1

2.35pm-2.50pm - Moto2 Qualifying 2

Sunday May 1

8.00-8.10am - Moto3 warm-up

8.20-8.30am - Moto2 warm-up

8.40-9am - MotoGP warm-up

10am - Moto3 race

11.20am - Moto2 race

1pm - MotoGP race