It is a bit like the classification that was expected at the end of the two free practice sessions on Friday at Mugello. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) set the best time of the day with a lap of 1’46”147, a time by far faster than the track record in the race and just 6 tenths off the overall qualifying record for the circuit. If, on the other hand, we looked at the classification in reverse, we would find Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) in second position, but the harsh reality is that the champion from Pesaro did not go beyond the 21st place, the penultimate. «During the whole session I mounted the hard tires and everyone who had them struggled enough – explained Valentino – then in the end, when I mounted the soft, I could have done a little better, but I made a mistake and I’m I went straight, but I wasn’t going to get much better. Let’s say that what is written on the ranking is quite truthful. Today I had problems under braking, especially at San Donato (where he went off the track twice), but also in other parts of the circuit I struggle to stop and I am not fast enough to change direction. We need to improve in those areas and also work a little on the electronics because we are not quite right. Mugello is a particular track and something different is needed. Tomorrow we will look for the right balance – concluded Rossi – because today I struggled ».
Bagnaia’s statements were quite different: «Being first is nice, but today it was important to be in place with the bike and actually at the moment the feeling is as I like it, so I’m happy – those were the words of ‘Pecco’ -. Reading the statements of other riders or articles in the newspapers it almost seems that here at Mugello he is doomed to win, but I know what I have to do and what possibilities I have. It would be great, but it’s not my only goal ».
Even his teammate Jack Miller, who today concentrated on setting up the bike without looking for performance, despite the 10th time, the Australian didn’t seem too worried: “Tomorrow morning I’ll try a real time-attack with the soft rubber to try and secure direct access to Q2. In general I am very satisfied with this first day ».
The Yamaha riders, Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales were also happy: the first declared that he had not tried the fastest lap, but that he felt very comfortable with the bike, while the second, who became a father earlier in the week, celebrated his daughter with the best absolute time in the first free practice session. MotoGP will be back on track tomorrow morning for the third free practice session. It will no longer be possible to make tactics, there is the real possibility that some top riders will not be able to return to the top 10 and will be forced to compete in the qualifying rounds of Q1.