Recent form provided a solid foundation for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to build from in Barcelona as he topped the opening session. A 1\u201938.979 was enough for him to charge to the top late on but with all four KTMs inside the top ten, there were smiles right across both garages and not just in the #37\u2019s corner.<\/p>\n
There were a flurry of late laps, including back-to-back fastest laps for Acosta at the end of the session to go top. The Spaniard\u2019s form of recent rounds has pointed towards a strong showing in Barcelona and that\u2019s how his weekend has started. There was something of a surprise in P2 with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) moving up late on. There were three manufacturers inside the top three with Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) securing third having led for much of the session. A welcome return for Maverick Vi\u00f1ales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) in fourth, splitting MotoGP\u2019s fastest brothers as Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) bagged fifth.<\/p>\n
Honda\u2019s late charge was emphasised by Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) in sixth, one place ahead of the third KTM of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The best of the Aprilias was Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), following on from form in recent rounds by taking P8 on Friday morning in Montmelo, ahead of wildcard Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Test Team). Rounding out the top ten, a fourth KTM with Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). The Austrian manufacturer look strong going into the remainder of Friday but the same can\u2019t be said for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), P23 and second-to-last on the leaderboard. Pecco\u2019s not renowned for his Friday pace but he may be a tad more concerned than normal after FP1.<\/p>\n