The ‘Doctor’ Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) put in a stunning final attempt in Free Practice 3 to top the timesheets on the way to Q2, riding through the pain barrier. Completing the trio of nemeses at the top were reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) as all three men shot back up to the front after more muted Friday sessions.
Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) took fourth as top Independent Team rider ahead of Championship leader Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), with an impressive showing from Tito Rabat (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) to get into Q2 for the first time in fifth.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro backed up a fast day one with a quick FP3 in P7, just ahead of Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso and Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa despite some key issues with traffic for the ‘Baby Samurai’.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was tenth quickest after initially topping the session, with some big names heading through Q2 including Friday’s fastest Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Le Mans podium finisher Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s former Mugello podium finisher Andrea Iannone, who is struggling with illness this weekend.
Q1 begins at 14:10 (GMT +2), with Q2 directly after as the grid gets decided for the spectacular Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley at the spectacular Autodromo del Mugello.
