250: Bautista fastest at Jerez.
Alvaro Bautista was able to get the better of Hiroshi Aoyama during Friday free practice for the 250cc Spanish Gran🦂d Prix, helped by a slower rider on Aoyama's last lap.
Bautista and Aoyama start round three separated by just one point at the top of the championsh🎉ip standings, after Bautista's victory over the Japanese in Aoyama's home Motegi event last Sunday.
However, it was the Scot Honda rider who was faster for most of the opening Jerez session, with Bautista finally putting h🍎is Aspar Aprilia on top with ten minutes to go.
Al𒐪varo Bautista was able to get the better of Hiroshi Aoyama during Friday free practice for the 250cc Spanish Grand Prix, helped by a slower rider on Aoyama's last lap.
Bautista and Aoyama start round three separated by just one point at the top of🌞 the championship standings, after Bautista's victory over the Japanese in Aoyama's home Motegi event last Sunday.
H🌺owever, it was the Scot Honda rider who was faster for most of the opening Jerez session, with Bautista finally putting his Asꩲpar Aprilia on top with ten minutes to go.
The home star then built a๊ comfortable advantage, but Aoyama was under the Spaniard's best as he approached the end of his fi൩nal lap - when he found a slower rider in his path at the last turn.
A visibly frustrated Aoyama crossed the finish line just 0.109sec slower than Bautista, with Swiss rider Thomas Luthi a further 0.4sec slo⛦wer in third for Caffe Latte Ap🥃rilia.
Reigning world champion Marco Simoncelli, looking to score his first points of the season this weekend, was eiꦜghth fastest for Metis Gilera, almost one second slower than Bautista.
Qualifying takes place on Saturday.
The Jerez circuit ൩has been comple🅷tely resurfaced since last year's race.
Friday practice - Jerez:
1. Bautista (Aprilia) 1min 43.429sec
2. Aoyama (Honda) +0.109sec
3. Luthi (Aprilia) +0.520sec
4. Pasini (Aprilia) +0.633sec
5. Talmacsi (Aprilia) +0.849sec
6. Abraham (Aprilia) +0.939sec
7. di Meglio (Aprilia) +0.956sec
8. Simoncelli (Gilera) +0.969sec
9. Barbera (Aprilia) +1.037sec
10. Debon (Aprilia) +1.203sec
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzu💜ki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury 🌺issues.
