Marquez quickest in damp FP3, no changes in Q2 order

Marc Marquez kept it neat in tricky conditions to emerge quickest in third free practice for the 2019 Czech MotoGP at Brno, as a damp circuit ensured there would be no change to Friday’s order ahead of Q1 and Q2.

Some nine seconds down on the fastest time set by Fabio Quartararo in FP2, Marquez nonetheless assured himself the honour of coming out on top by easily having the measure of his rivals as the circuit slowly dried. Countryman Maverick Vinales followed him in second place, six tenths off of the Honda.

Former World Superbike Champion Sylvain Guintoli demonstrated his consderale experience in inclement conditions to lift the Suzuki into third position, the Frenchman enjoying a strong turn on the third Suzuki entry so far this weekend.

Danilo Petrucci was fourth fastest, ahead of Valentino Rossi and FP2 pace setter Quartararo, who nonetheless retains his place at the head of the overall timesheets, which in turn ensured the top ten riders on Friday will enjoy a straight passage through to Q2 this afternoon.

As such, Quartararo will be joined by Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso, Jack Miller, Alex Rins, Vinales, Valentino Rossi, Franco Morbidelli, Cal Crutchlow and Petrucci this afternoon.

Those who will ttempt to progress through to Q2 via Q1 include Joan Mir and Takaaki Nakagami, as well as all four KTMs and both Aprilias.