Stefan Bradl and Pol Espargaro were reunited with their respective Repsol Honda Team RC213V machines as the British GP ends the summer break, taking 15th and 16th on the opening day of practice.
A cool and crisp British morning started proceedings in Silverstone as the MotoGP World Championship paddock got back up to speed after the long mid-season break. Both Repsol Honda Team riders took a steady approach to the first session back as both Bradl and Espargaro went about confirming their setups and adapting to riding MotoGP machines in Silverstone again. Clear weather meant both sessions were productive and consistent improvements made.
HRC Test Rider Stefan Bradl was able to gain more than two seconds between sessions to end the day in 15th and edge out his teammate by only 0.05s. With a 1’59.801, Bradl missed the combined top ten by half a second and has identified areas to work on to continue improving tomorrow. Riding at the circuit for the first timee in over five years, the German is happy with how the opening day of practice has gone.
Having shown good speed in the morning, Espargaro continued to find time as he dropped below the 2’00 barrier to end the day 16th just behind Bradl. Having missed the last two races through injury and focusing on recovery during the break, Espargaro devoted Friday to mostly working on himself and getting familiar once again with the sensations of a MotoGP bike. A best lap 1’59.852 provides a good base to work from, but the #44 knows there is plenty of work to do.
Free Practice 3 will be an important session for both Repsol Honda Team riders as they target the combined top ten.