Leopard Racing’s Joan Mir topped the opening free practice session for the Moto3 class in Argentina, the Spaniard heading into the afternoon’s running in commanding form.
Qatar Grand Prix winner Mir took over at the top of the time sheets early in the 40-minute FP1 with a 1m51.6s, knocking a tenth off of that in the final 15 minutes to a 1m51.559s to go a second clear of the field.
As the session wound down, his advantage was cut to half a second and then just over two tenths by the returning Gabriel Rodrigo. The Argentinian suffered a broken collarbone at the end of FP1 in Qatar and is riding is a considerable amount of discomfort. However, second on this morning’s timesheets will come as a huge confidence boost.
Nicolo Bulega was largely anonymous in Qatar, finishing the race a disappointing 13th. But the Sky VR46 KTM rider was on better form this morning, finishing FP1 third quickest ahead of the second RBA machine of Juanfran Guevara and Ongetta Rivacold’s Romano Fenati.
Livio Loi fought for the victory in Argentina back in 2014, and looks like a good bet to do so again this weekend at this early stage. The Belgian Leopard rider was seven tenths off team-mate Mir’s pace in sixth.
Enea Bastanini needs a better weekend after a troubled start to life with EG 0,0 Honda in Qatar. The Italian was seventh in FP1, with Andrea Migno eighth following a late mechanical issue. Aron Canet and Qatar podium finisher John McPhee completed the top 10.
Peugeot Mahindra’s Jakub Kornfeil will be encouraged with his pace going forward. The Czech rider did finish the session in 11th, but ran second at one stage. Niccolo Antonelli, Darryn Binder, Adam Norrodin and Philipp Oettl rounded out the top 15.
French rider Jules Danilo didn’t lap the 2.9-mile Termas de Rio Hondo this morning due to a virus, but hopes to take part in FP2 later today.
