Dani Holgado finishes second fastest overall on Friday, with Jaume Masia fourth

The Catalan Grand Prix got underway on Friday with Free Practice, as the Moto3 field combated high temperatures in Barcelona. Dani Holgado and Jaume Masia completed the first day of the Grand Prix as the second and fourth fastest riders in the standings, respectively.

The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo enjoyed favourable track conditions in the morning, and quickly set fast times that put them amongst the frontrunners. Holgado was the second fastest rider of the session, with his 1:48.870 on his 15th and final lap. Performing three separate runs, Masia upped his pace in the closing minutes and finished fourth with a 1:48.978, set on his penultimate lap of 16.

The afternoon session was characterised by high temperatures, making it difficult for the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo to lower their times from the morning. However, both riders made progress. Masia was 11th with a time of 1:49.508, achieved in his 14th lap of 16, and Holgado finished 17th thanks to a 1:49.736. Both earned provisional spots in Q2.

Moto3 Q1 takes place on Saturday at 12:35 PM local time, with Q2 at 1 PM.
 

Results (Combined practice times FP1 – FP2)
1. Izan Guevara (GasGas) 1:48.675
2. Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:48.870 +0.195
3. Dennis Foggia (Honda) 1:48.962 +0.287
4. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:48.978 +0.303
5. Tatsuki Suzuki (Honda) 1:49.067 +0.392

#5 JAUME MASIA

“I’m happy with the feeling that I have with the bike, and with the results we have had today. In FP2 it was a little more difficult due to the high temperatures, but nevertheless we did well with the harder compound. We continue working with tomorrow in mind, and the objective will be to qualify in the best possible way for the race.”

#96 DANI HOLGADO

“Today has been a great day for me. We did a great job with the team and we have a good setup for the bike for this weekend. I am fast and consistent, and that is important for the race. Tomorrow in qualifying, with the soft tyre, I think we can take another step forward to try to get onto the first or second row for the race. I think it’s possible, so we will continue working in this way.”