Marquez recovers for top ten on Mugello Friday, Mir withdraws

A pair of crashes for the Repsol Honda Team made for a bruising first day at the Italian GP, Marc Marquez able to overcome his fall for a spot in Q2. Unfortunately, Joan Mir withdraws from the event.

The first day of the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello witnessed another classic Marc Marquez performance. A morning steadily inside the top ten placed the #93 well as Practice Two began and he kept pace with the rest of the field. With just ten minutes of the session remaining, and the hot laps starting, the eight-time World Champion suffered a fall at Turn 14. Immediately jumping to his feet, Marquez sprinted back to the garage and returned to the track with just over five minutes of the session remaining.

In true Marquez style, he was immediately fast on his first flying lap and momentarily led the standings. Eventually ending the day as the eighth fastest rider, Marquez set a best time of 1’45.691 – only 0.255s from reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia who led the way.

Joan Mir had a difficult first day at the Italian GP, a crash mid-way through second practice ending his day early. Suffering significant discomfort, the #36 went to have his hand examined and revealed damage around the fifth finger of the right hand. Due to the high-speed and demanding nature of the Mugello Circuit, Joan Mir and the Repsol Honda Team have decided to withdraw from the remainder of the event due to the injury sustained to his right hand.

Marc Marquez will be the lone representative of the Repsol Honda Team for the remainder of the Italian GP which resumes at 10:10 Local Time on Saturday, June 10.