Marquez strikes back ahead of qualifying

Marc Marquez

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) topped his first session of the weekend at Silverstone Circuit at the British GP, as the points leader and 2-time MotoGP world champion took the top spot in Saturday morning's FP3. With grey skies interrupted by flashes of blue, the weather was cool but dry and the final few minutes of the session provided a fantastic shootout as the grid fought for direct graduation to the Q2 session. Maverick Vinales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was just unable to pip Marquez to the post on his final lap and ended the session in P2, with Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) completing the top 3 who move into Q2. Iannone suffered a lowside at Farm Curve but was uninjured and quickly got back out on the second bike.

Turn 12 has proved tricky for MotoGP riders so far this weekend, with Andrea Iannone becoming the latest rider in FP3 to slide off at the seriously quick curve

Brno winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) is the man in P4 ahead of qualifying, with reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) just behind him to complete the top 5. Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich) was P6 in another impressive showing for a home rider, with the second factory Ducati Team bike of Andrea Dovizioso in seventh ahead of Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa in P8.

Aleix Espargaro (Team Suzukia Ecstar) is ninth ahead of qualifying, with 9-time world champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) just scraping past Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) to remain in the top ten.