Filip Salac posted one of his strongest day 1 performances of the season so far by placing 7^th at the close of Practice 1, while team-mate Tony Arbolino was content with 10^th.

• The Circuit of Barcelona Catalunya hosts the sixth round of the 2024 Moto2 World Championship this weekend, with overcast morning conditions giving way to sunny skies and hotter ambient temperatures of 23 degrees in the afternoon.
• The afternoon Practice 1 session offered Elf Marc VDS Racing Team riders Tony Arbolino and Filip Salac the chance to work on race setting and lay down a number of laps on race rubber on a track surface which is notoriously tough on tyres.

/// TONY ARBOLINO, 10^th – 1’43.355

• After a strong fightback in France, Tony was keen to start with his base setting from Le Mans. His 13^th place in Free Practice didn’t seem incredible, but the Italian was pleased with his rhythm over two longer runs.
• The 23-year old didn’t feel entirely comfortable when pushing for a one-off lap time in the afternoon. But his 10^th fastest time came despite a mistake exiting Turn 10, meaning Tony is confident of further improvements on Saturday.

“I never felt like I did the perfect lap”

“We were working to keep our rhythm with the same base as Le Mans. Honestly, I’m feeling good with the bike and it looks like we’re not so far away. I never felt like I did the perfect lap and I never put everything together. For example, on my fastest lap I had a big moment with the rear so I lost one or two tenths. Anyway, it is what it is. We just need to polish a few details ahead of tomorrow morning but I feel we’re a bit more prepared for the race than we are for qualifying tomorrow at this moment. But we will get there tomorrow morning. I’m sure with a few small changes to the set-up, we’ll be ready to fight!”

/// FILIP SALAC, 7^th – 1’43.225

• The Czech rider used Free Practice to work on his rhythm on used tyres over two runs. Filip ended the morning in 19^th.
• Riding at his ‘second’ home track, the Barcelona resident showed the round the clock treatment on his injured right wrist has paid off, as he jumped up the order to 7^th with five minutes to go to end the day 0.4s off the fastest time.

“I see the potential is there and I’m confident”

“Actually, it was a good day. It was the first time this year I was feeling that my rhythm was strong on used tyres, on both the hard and soft option. I’m happy about today. Also, we were seventh so the result was positive. The bike is working well and I think it’s now about me adapting to the conditions through the rest of the weekend. But based on our performance today, I see the potential is there and I’m confident of having another good day tomorrow.”