The Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider was seventh fastest in Friday free practice combined list with teammate Joan Mir in eleventh position.

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Alex Marquez and Joan Mir were treated to sunny but cool conditions after morning rain showers and an oil spillage delay in Moto3 as they began preparations for the Australian Grand Prix.

Alex Marquez was straight up to speed in FP1 at the seaside Phillip Island Circuit with the seventh fastest time. As conditions improved for FP2 and with an important step in bike set-up Marquez went 0.4s faster in FP2 to hold seventh overall for the day with a best lap of 1’34.268.

Joan Mir was 13th in FP1 in his first Moto2 outing at Phillip Island and continued his solid preparation with a series of consistent runs in FP2. A late session attempt at a faster lap time did not produce the desired result but the young Spaniard was satisfied with 11th position and a best lap of 1’34.596.

Tomorrow’s FP3 session is scheduled for 10:55am with qualifying at 2:30pm for round 17 of the Moto2 World Championship.

Alex Marquez: 7th, 1’34.268, +0.567, 41 laps, 182 km

“We need to keep improving but I’m satisfied with the first day”

“The morning was little bit difficult with the delay and a little rain but we were lucky because our sessions were dry, just a little rain at the end of FP1. I didn’t take a lot of risks in FP1, I just tried to understand everything. Then in FP2 we made good step to improve the bike and we are already close to having our tyre choice clear for the race. We need to keep improving but I’m satisfied with the first day.”

Joan Mir: 11th, 1’34.596, +0.895, 42 laps, 186 km

“Overall everything is really good for the first day”

“I am quite happy with my first day in Australia. It was a shame because in FP2 I was in a good position with good confidence but in the last exit I’m not sure what happened with the rear tyre, we have to check it. We put a new tyre in to try and improve the lap time but it was not working as we expected. But overall everything is really good for the first day.”