Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa commenced their 2017 MotoGP campaign positively this evening in Qatar, setting the second- and third-fastest lap times, respectively, by the end of a single free-practice session that got underway at 7:55 p.m. local time.

The Repsol Honda riders constantly improved their speed throughout the 45 minute stint, with Marc recording his best effort in 1’54.912” on his 17th lap of 18 and Dani setting his fastest time of 1’55.212” on lap 15 of 16.

FP2 and FP3 will begin tomorrow at 6 p.m. and 8:55 p.m. local time, respectively.

Marc Marquez - 2nd 1'54.912

“This first day was positive enough because two weeks ago we hadn’t finish the test so well, while today I had a better feeling with the bike. We started with a different setup compared to then and we did a good job. We have some work to do, especially on the electronics side, but that said I’m quite happy. Maverick is really fast but it was to be expected, and on our side we’re working hard in our garage to try and find a good compromise with the setup.”



Dani Pedrosa - 3rd 1'55.210

“I’m happy with today. Even if the track conditions and the grip weren’t the best, we tried to push hard in case the weather gets worse tomorrow as the forecast says. It was important to be up front, because everybody is expecting some rain. I’m generally happy and I think we have already gathered a lot of good information. We’ll see how things go and keep working to do our best.”


1    - VINALES Maverick 25 SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Team Yamaha 1'54.316
2    - MARQUEZ Marc 93 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.596
3    - PEDROSA Dani 26 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.894
4    - FOLGER Jonas 94 GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1.271
5    - LORENZO Jorge 99 SPA Ducati Team Ducati 1.291
6    - BAZ Loris 76 FRA Reale Avintia Racing Ducati 1.308
7    - CRUTCHLOW Cal 35 GBR LCR Honda Honda 1.323
8    - ZARCO Johann 5 FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1.476
9    - ROSSI Valentino 46 ITA Yamaha Factory Racing Team Yamaha 1.483
10  - ESPARGARO Aleix 41 SPA Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 1.556
11  - DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA Ducati Team Ducati 1.557
12  - REDDING Scott 45 GBR Octo Pramac Racing Ducati 1.684
13  - I ANNONE Andrea 29 ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 1.711
14  - BAUTISTA Alvaro 19 SPA Pull&Bear Aspar Team Ducati 1.812
15  - ABRAHAM Karel 17 CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team Ducati 2.083
16  - PETRUCCI Danilo 9 ITA Octo Pramac Racing Ducati 2.103
17  - MILLER Jack 43 AUS Team EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda 2.137
18  - RINS Alex 42 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 2.186
19  - RABAT Tito 53 SPA Team EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda 2.409
20  - BARBERA Hector 8 SPA Reale Avintia Racing Ducati 2.409
21  - ESPARGARO Pol 44 SPA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 3.314
22  - LOWES Sam 22 GBR Aprilia Racing Team Gresini Aprilia 3.571
23  - SMITH Bradley 38 GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 3.798