Stefan Bradl was finally rewarded with a return to the top 15 thanks to a consistent race at the San Marino GP, meanwhile Pol Espargaro was struck down by bad luck and another rider.
Any thoughts of even a cloud in the sky were banished as the sun beat down over the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. In some of the hottest conditions of the weekend, the MotoGP field quickly got to work making their final adjustments before the 27-lap race.
As chaos erupted around and ahead of him, Stefan Bradl kept his cool and avoided trouble. Consistent times had the German battling inside the points, briefly dropping down to 15th before fighting back to 14th with just a few laps left. These two points are the HRC Test Rider’s first of the year and come after eight races of intense work and commitment from Bradl. But his work is not over as he now prepares to join the post-race test on Tuesday.
On the other side of the Repsol Honda Team garage, Pol Espargaro’s race ended before it had even began as a collision between other riders at the first corner forced the #44 down. Espargaro reported significant pain in his right wrist but appears to have escaped any serious injury. A check at the circuit confirmed that there were no breaks and only swelling. He will rest and treat his wrist in order to be as ready as possible for the two-day test on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Repsol Honda Team will now remain in San Marino as they prepare for two more important days on track. Marc Marquez will make his MotoGP return some three months after a fourth operation on his injured right humerus.