Marquez tops warm-up as Dovi, Rins challenge

Full Italian MotoGP Warm-Up Results

Pole man Marc Marquez continued in his quest to upset the home supporters ahead of the Italian MotoGP at Mugello after topping morning warm-up, as title rival Andrea Dovizioso enjoyed a more positive start to his race day.

After smashing the lap record in qualifying, despite controversy over the manner in which he achieved it by intentionally targeting rival Dovizioso for a tow, Marquez was up to speed quickly in front of the packed grandstands to turn in a 1m 46.930s lap.

With Marquez the only rider to crack 1m 47secs, Suzuki posed his nearest competition with Joan Mir – who starts down in 20th – and Alex Rins turning in the second and fourth fastest laps to give the manufacturer some optimism coming into this afternoon’s race.

Similarly, Dovizioso – who has work to do from ninth on the grid – was a competitive third quickest as the highest-placed Ducati, with Fabio Quartararo again the best of the Yamahas in fifth position.

Takaaki Nakagami ended the session sixth from Danilo Petrucci, top KTM Pol Espargaro and Tito Rabat, who was an encouraging ninth best aboard the Avintia Ducati. Meanwhile, the factory Yamaha team continued to operate outside of the top ten, Maverick Vinales leading Valentino Rossi in 14th and 15th.

Meanwhile, Miguel Oliveira gave his Tech 3 KTM team work to do before the race after the Portuguese rookie fell early in the session.