Marquez quickest in third practice

Twenty-year-old Spanish rider Marc Marquez was fastest in today’s third free practice session for the MotoGP Catalonian Grand Prix as he moved ahead of championship rivals Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez, who suffered a high-speed crash at the Italian Grand Prix just two weeks ago, had been slightly off the pace in Friday’s first two practice sessions, but found his rhythm on Saturday morning as he recorded the fastest lap despite American Nicky Hayden breaking the top speed record at the Montmelo track with a charge of 341.4 kilometres per hour (212.1 mph).

Championship leader Pedrosa closely followed the leading two in third just 0.134sec down and Valentino Rossi continued his resurgence this weekend after a difficult start to the season as he was fouth fastest.

Reigning world champion and two-time winner of the race Lorenzo suffered a crash early on in the session, but he recovered using his reserve bike to post the sixth fastest time and comfortably for the afternoon’s second qualifying session where the top 12 places on the grid for Sunday’s race will be determined.

In the Moto2 practice Swiss rider Thomas Luthi edged out Spanish duo Pol Espargaro and Esteve Rabat to register the fastest time of the morning session.

However, there was more success for the Spaniards in the Moto3 event as Alex Rins headed the standings from compatriots Luis Salom and Alex Marquez.

kca/lp