Qatar winner Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was top in FP1 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Republica Argentina, leading the session from Octo Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie Johann Zarco.
With weather going forward a little unknown and the track rubbering in gradually, there was a late rush from many on the grid to set a time.
Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was P4 to impress once again, ahead of a late dash from Pull&Bear Aspar Team’s Karel Abraham. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing), Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) and Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) completed the top ten.
Around half way through the session, Viñales had a big wobble towards the end of the lap, and it was Marc Marquez’ (Repsol Honda Team) turn next as the reigning Champion then lowsided off the track at Turn 2 – rider ok.
Marquez was P11, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) separating him from LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow in P14 – with Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) completing the top 15.
Behind Lorenzo was Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) another of the big names further down the timesheets in the shuffled session, in P19.
