MotoGP Le Mans: Foggia finds his form on Friday

Leopard’s Dennis Foggia was back to his session topping best as preparations for the Moto3 French GP got underway at Le Mans on Friday.

Gaviota GasGas Aspar’s Izan Guevara and the second Leopard of Tatsuki Suzuki completed the top three with Sterilgarda Max Racing’s retuning John McPhee sitting 16th at day one’s close of play.

Friday’s action kicked off with McPhee back onboard the Husqvarna after a five race absence while Red Bull KTM’s Jaume Masia led the way in the early times. The Spaniard repeatedly refining the pace out front and circulating on the bubble of 1’45 by his third effort before Rivacold Snipers’ Andrea Migno broke the barrier next time around.

Foggia was back in the mix after a disappointing start to the European season, sitting second, behind Masia once again, as the next laps registered with Guevara, Diogo Moreira and Suzuki joining the pack in the opening stages.

French rider Lorenzo Fellon returned to action in front of his home crowd after a dislocated shoulder, running 23rd at the halfway stage narrowly behind McPhee, VisionTrack’s Scott Ogden and Mario Aji on the Honda Team Asia.

Masia maintained control with low 1’43 pace from Migno, Guevara and Foggia as the second half counted down. Carlos Tatay joined the fray on the CFMoto ahead of Moreira, Suzuki and Tech3’s Deniz Öncü with Sergio Garcia and Riccardo Rossi completing the top 10.

Jose Rueda began his maiden replacement ride of 2022 inside the top ten, in ninth, as he stood in for the injured Alberto Surra at Rivacold. Teammate Migno topping the times thanks to a 1’43.257 with ten minutes left on the clock. Daniel Holgado improving to circulate just behind his own teammate as the Ajo riders locked out third and fourth.

Tatay looked to be on