MARTIN RISES TO SECOND AS DIGGIA CRASHES IN FP AT PHILLIP ISLAND
An interesting first day of free practice has drawn to a close at Phillip Island for the #AustralianGP, with Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio preparing for another battle in what has been so far an exciting Moto3 title race. Despite more than two-hour stoppage due to oil on track during free practice one, both Team Del Conca Gresini riders completed a day one that was almost entirely focused on finding the best set-up for the race.
Jorge Martin turned his attention on tyres, the Spaniard trying the hard-compound option in the morning and the medium one in the afternoon; Jorge was second overall (1’37.396) behind Canet despite not pushing for a quick lap-time for the whole day.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was back on his Honda for the first time since the spectacular highside at Motegi, had the time to find back the right feeling and confidence with the bike; his day was partly ruined as a crash in FP2 ruined his performance and positioning in the timesheets – although fortunately left no mark on the Italian.
Proceedings will resume tomorrow at 10am local time (GMT+11), while qualifying will get underway later the same day at 13:35.
2nd– JORGE MARTIN #88
“Today we focused on our race pace. This morning we tried the harder compound and it wasn’t easy because the track wasn’t in perfect conditions; in the afternoon, instead, we tried the medium tyre. I lapped on my own for the whole time and I must say we’re on the right track. We still need to try the hard option again tomorrow morning in order to make the best decision for Sunday, but we’re almost there!”
23rd – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #21
“I’m sure it was a good day. This morning we were quick straight out of the box and in the afternoon we were doing quite the same as we kept improving in each outing. Unfortunately, I made a mistake with fresh tyres and crashed at turn four. Nothing major, but obviously the tumble halted our progression. We can be among the leading riders tomorrow as I feel really good on the bike.”
