MotoGP: Marquez moves to the top in FP3

Marc Marquez took control as the final timed practice session got underway in Valencia to move ahead of the combined timesheets ahead of qualifying. 

The 2016 World Champion edged closer to the outright circuit lap record with a time of 1’30.258 to top FP3 with Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales also beating Lorenzo’s quickest time from yesterday to place second quickest. 

After a dominant first day, Jorge Lorenzo didn’t improve his time in the Saturday morning session, placing third on the combined timesheets but was fifth in the session behind Andrea Dovizioso and the injured Dani Pedrosa.

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Pol Espargaro was sixth quickest ahead of brother Pol, while Andrea Iannone was eighth. The Italian was lucky to avoid a serious incident as he ploughed into the rear of Yonny Hernandez after not looking where he was going while both were touring in the middle of the session.

Valentino Rossi continued to endure a tough weekend down in ninth, ahead of British trio Bradley Smith, Cal Crutchlow and Hector Barbera. 

KTM’s Mika Kallio showed a significant improvement on his quickest time from Friday to now sit just 2.5 seconds off fastest man Marquez. However, the RC16’s rear grip woes remained visible with Kallio’s rear Michelin smoking as it spun up around the fast turn 13. 

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