As predicted by Michelin, Jerez’s new surface and an extra allocation of tyres saw the outright lap record smashed to smithereens, with cool overcast conditions contributing further to a string of new best times, each one topping the last.

The previous best lap, set by Cal Crutchlow (Honda) in qualifying last year stood at 1m 37.653, an average speed of 163.0 km/h.

That narrowly survived the first day, but in Saturday morning’s FP3 the top 14 riders – from Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) to Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) – all went faster.

Petrucci was the first to dip under the 1m 37; but by the end of Q2 later that day three more riders had made it: pole-setter Fabio Quartararo, and front-row companions Franco Morbidelli and Marc Marquez.

Quartararo and Morbidelli are team-mates in the new Petronas-sponsored Yamaha satellite team, with a double front-row start in only its fourth race.

“I speak for both of us,” said Morbidelli, “when I say it is a great team. It is new, but there are some very experienced people in it, and there is a lot of passion and a lot of energy.” The team is managed by former 250 racer Johann Stigefelt, and includes ex-factory team rider coach Wilco Zeelenberg.

Quartararo, Spanish MotoGP 2019

By Michael Scott

Photos GNG