FP2 pace setter Nakagami eyeing direct Q2 route

Takaaki Nakagami was pleased to end the first day of practice for the Andalucia MotoGP in the headlines after topping second free practice, but says he is focused on making it count in the crucial FP3 session.

The Japanese rider was one of the few to attempt a ‘time attack’ in the closing minutes of the much warmer afternoon session, among other riders that focused more on long stints and race set-up in the run up to the chequered flag.

Riding the 2019-specification LCR Honda RC213V, Nakagami’s top time was 1m 37.715s, seven tenths down on Vinales’s FP1 benchmark and even two tenths down on his own effort in the morning.

Nonetheless, the top time buoyed Nakagami, who finished a distant tenth in Jerez last weekend, and gives him confidence heading into the all-important FP3 session that he can crack the crucial top ten he needs to make it into the pole-deciding Q2.

“As you can see from the result, we are definitely improving compared to last weekend. We got good support from HRC and the team who did a great job today.

“I’m pretty happy with my feeling on the bike and have improved my riding style, so we’re ready for tomorrow. But we need to pay attention in FP3 because you never know what can happen, everyone goes faster and faster, but we’ll do our best to stay inside the top 10.

“Then let’s see what happens in qualifying, we are quite competitive so this is a good sign for the race. Let’s keep pushing!”