Repsol Honda experienced something of a mixed Friday at Brno as riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa both hit trouble in practice for the MotoGP Czech Republic Grand Prix.
Marquez ended the day as the second-fastest rider with a quickest lap of 1:56.513 to top FP2, but finished 0.014 seconds behind Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo’s time in FP1.
However, the Spaniard crashed out at turn seven during his final lap in the second session, bringing his day to an early end. This followed an earlier incident in FP1 where he had fallen at turn 13.
Speaking after the session, two-time MotoGP champion Marquez admitted that he was struggling to find consistency during practice at Brno.
“I am fast over a single lap, but I am finding it harder to set a constant pace,” Marquez said. “In FP2 we finished first, but more importantly we have made a step forward with our pace, because it seems that Lorenzo is has a very fast rhythm.
“This afternoon we got close to him and we will see if tomorrow we can continue to improve, in order to be as close as possible to the top.”
Honda has been left to sweat overnight on the fitness of second rider Dani Pedrosa after the Spaniard suffered an injury to his ankle after falling in FP2.
Pedrosa confirmed after the session that although he has not broken his ankle, he will wait until the morning before making any firm decision about his participation in the remainder of the race weekend.
“I had a problem with the front fork which I didn’t realise until some oil hit the rear wheel as I was leaning over to the right into turn 14,” Pedrosa said.
“The bike threw me off quite violently and I took a big knock to my left foot. I went to Clinica Mobile for a check-up and they performed an x-ray on my left ankle.
“Thankfully they confirmed there was no break or fracture, just a heavy contusion so I will have some treatment tonight and see how the situation is in the morning.”
