Lorenzo fastest, Ducati shining at home

Jorge Lorenzo set the pace in the all important FP3 session with the Spaniard leading the way by two tenths from Marc Marquez. Lorenzo was consistently able to find that margin in the third sector of the lap where the Yamaha rider looks very comfortable.

Valentino Rossi was third fastest but over half a second adrift and with the Ducati’s looking strong, there were four Ducati’s in the top ten, Q2 could be a major challenge for Rossi with the Italian bikes able to avail of the softer tyre.

Bradley Smith was the lone Brit to make the cutoff with Cal Crutchlow having been knocked out at the end of the session. Scott Redding was 14th fastest with Eugene Laverty ending the session 23rdfastest having set his time at the beginning of the session before crashing midway through.