Lorenzo lays down the benchmark

Back on home soil, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo was in World Champion form as he led proceedings on day one in Jerez at the Gran Premio bwin de España ahead of Repsol Honda Team compatriot Dani Pedrosa and Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow. There was off-track drama in the second session of the day as a power cut resulted in the session starting seven minutes late. However once it did get underway, with ambient temperatures in the high twenties and a track temperature of 49 degrees Celsius, Lorenzo reduced his morning lap time by two tenths of a second to post a best of 1’39.562. Pedrosa was one of only two riders in the top ten to have recorded his fastest time in the significantly-cooler morning practice, whilst Crutchlow put in yet another good display on his satellite M1 to go third in the warmer afternoon. Whilst his Yamaha counterparts stuck with the hard option front and softer option rear tyre, factory rider Valentino Rossi, fourth quickest, also tried the harder option rear, however citing that it lacked enough edge grip. Repsol’s championship leader and last-race winner Marc Marquez could not quite reach the heights of Austin, however put in a solid ride for fifth, ahead of GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista, who was struggling with issues with the rear of his bike. Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone was impressive on the Desmosedici as he finished the overall standing’s in seventh, ahead of factory Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden in eighth. Hayden however was the other rider to set his fastest time in the morning, citing that he did not progress as expected in the afternoon. In ninth place, it was someone else’s turn to occupy top CRT spot, as Avintia Blusens’ Hector Barbera edged out Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro into tenth. Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham fought through the pain of a broken right collarbone after his qualifying crash in Texas, whilst Ignite Pramac Racing’s Ben Spies has not travelled to Jerez as he recovers from the trapped nerve, which caused severe discomfort at the last round. In the afternoon session, both PBM’s Yonny Hernandez LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl suffered crashes, whereas Danilo Petrucci was presented with no option but to stop his Came IodaRacing Project machine as thick smoke and flames came from the exhaust. Ending the day 13th quickest, Ducati Team test rider Michele Pirro debuted the “development” Desmosedici, featuring a new frame and revised engine, as he competes as a wildcard for the first time in 2013.