Thursday and Friday Behind The Lens Wrap with BikeReview Photographer John Inness...
Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix Day One Gallery by John Inness, plus results wrap by AGPC. Go Jack!
On-Track:
- Marquez and Dovizioso quick: Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was the quickest on Day One of the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017 leading Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) by only 0.005 seconds and Marquez’s main rival for the World Championship Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) coming in third
- Miller in top 6: Australian Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) put in a remarkable performance in the MotoGP sessions coming third in Free Practice 1 and sixth in Free Practice 2; an incredible feat considering he broke his leg only three weeks ago
- Australian riders faring well: The other local in the main field, Broc Parkes (Tech 3 Yamaha), used today to re-familiarise himself with a MotoGP machine with the 35-year-old turning in 19 laps in Free Practice 1 and 19 laps in Free Practice 2
MotoGP – Free Practice 1 Results:
1 Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 1’29.602
2 Johann Zarco | FRA | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 1’29.695
3 Jack Miller | AUS | EG 0,0 Marc VDS | Honda | 1’29.724
…Broc Parkes | AUS | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 1’33.054
MotoGP – Free Practice 2 Results:
1 Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | Aprilia | 1’29.225
2 Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 1’29.230
3 Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 1’29.322
4 Jack Miller | AUS | EG 0,0 Marc VDS | Honda | 1’29.466
…Broc Parkes | AUS | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | Yamaha | 1’32.152
Moto2 – Free Practice 1 Results:
1 Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia | Kalex | 1’33.313
2 Mattia Pasini | ITA | Italtrans Racing Team | Kalex | 1’33.986
3 Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM Ajo | KTM | 1’34.119
…Remy Gardner | AUS | Tech 3 Racing | Tech 3 | 1’35.867
Moto2 – Free Practice 2 Results:
1 Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia | Kalex | 1’33.310
2 Dominique Aegerter | SWI | Kiefer Racing | Suter | 1’34.020
3 Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | SKY Racing Team VR46 | Kalex | 1’34.217
…Remy Gardner | AUS | Tech 3 Racing | Tech 3 | 1’34.959
Moto3 – Free Practice 1 Results:
1 Nicolo Bulega | ITA | SKY Racing Team VR46 | KTM | 1’38.582
2 Enea Bastianini | ITA | Estrella Galicia 0,0 | Honda | 1’38.656
3 Ayumu Sasaki | JPN | SIC Racing Team | Honda | 1’38.670
Moto3 – Free Practice 2 Results:
1 Joan Mir | SPA | Leopard Racing | Honda | 1’37.111
2 Aron Canet | SPA | Estrella Galicia 0,0 | Honda | 1’37.341
3 Bo Bendsneyder | NED | Red Bull KTM Ajo | KTM | 1’37.622
Off-Track:
- Official Charity of the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, was out in force raising funds with volunteers roaming the circuit tirelessly tin rattling whilst they had representatives at the GP Expo speaking to attendees about the importance of men’s health.
- The Spokes Entertainment Stage was the place to be for fans to meet their idols and grab an autograph, with riders Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Cal Crutchlow and local Jack Miller proving most popular.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott:
“MotoGP™ has arrived in Phillip Island for this weekend’s Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2017 and with just 11 points separating Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez and Team Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso for the World Championship, the battle was on in Free Practice 1 and 2.”
“Tactics were on display early across all three classes and with the World Championship alive in each category, riders had to choose between soft and medium tyres and make strategic decisions with their being a chance that Free Practice 1 and 2 times may be combined to decide direct entry to Q2 should Free Practice 3 not occur.”
“The weather forecast for the weekend is looking great for riders and spectators with temperatures in the high teens providing optimal conditions for all and with plenty of great ticketing options still available and starting from $75 we encourage people to come along.”
Estimated Attendance Figures:
22,000, up 5 per cent from 2016
