MotoGP Styria, Takaaki Nakagami 1st in FP1 ahead of Joan Mir and Aleix Espargaro

MotoGP is back on track after the summer break for the tenth round of the season valid for the Styrian GP (here the timetables). After a historic Thursday, with the announcement of Valentino Rossi’s farewell, it’s time for Free Practice at the Red Bull Ring. The first session saw Takaaki Nakagami who, with his Honda, won with a time of 1’23 “805. Second time for Joan Mir with Suzuki, with the world champion finishing in front of fellow Aprilia Aleix Espargaro.

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Fabio Quartararo, leader of the rider standings with 264 points, finished 8th, ahead of title rival Johann Zarco, 9th with his Ducati Pramac. At the limit of the top 10 the official Ducati, with Jack Miller 10th and Francesco Bagnaia 12th, interrupted by the return of Dani Pedrosa on the Ktm of which he is test driver. The team that races at home in Austria accused of technical problems on the bike of the former Honda, to which was added the crash of Miguel Oliveira in the final. Pedrosa’s return to the race is not the only one: Cal Crutchlow also took to the track, called to replace Franco Morbidelli, who had an operation on his left knee after his injury on 25 June. Finally, 16th time for Valentino Rossi.