Espargaro top for Honda as MotoGP tries resurfaced Mandalika

Pol Espargaro was fastest for Honda as the MotoGP field explored the Mandalika circuit for the first time since the partial resurfacing intended to solve the dramatic problems experienced there in pre-season testing.

Visual evidence from first practice for the series’ first Indonesian Grand Prix since 1997 suggested the organisers’ effort had been largely successful. Though the circuit appears to be bumpier, the dust level looked reduced compared to the test and there was no sign of a repeat of the problem of stones from within the asphalt being thrown up behind bikes.

But overnight rain – which left some wet patches on track at the beginning of the session – and lower temperatures will have lowered the chances of dust problems, and the track still looked notably dirty whenever anyone went off-line.

Though practice one might prove to be more exploratory than representative – with times 2.5s off the best from testing – the works Hondas sat in 1-2 formation for two separate spells.

KTM’s Miguel Oliveira looked set to deny them at the end with a late 1m33.543s lap, but Espargaro snuck back ahead by 0.044s with his final effort.

Espargaro’s team-mate Marc Marquez had to settle for third, still within 0.079s of the top.

Franco Morbidelli was briefly quickest between Honda surges and ended up fourth for Yamaha. His reigning champion team-mate Fabio Quartararo was only 16th.

Pramac rider Johann Zarco led the Ducatis in fifth, with Qatar winner Enea Bastianini eighth on the Gresini bike and works pair Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller sandwiching Joan Mir’s Suzuki in ninth and 11th.

Aleix Espargaro was sixth for Aprilia ahead of the second works KTM of Brad Binder.

Practice 1 Results