Moto3: Championship leader Mir tops opening day at Brno

Moto3 championship leader Joan Mir has started where he left off after the first day of action at the Czech Grand Prix, topping free practice two and the day’s combined times as action resumes after the championship’s month-long summer break.

Biding his time in the wet morning session as German wildcard Tim Georgi rode to a stunning top spot, Mir struck in the afternoon to finish the day nearly half a second clear of title rival Aron Canet and pleased with his day’s work.

“I’m pretty happy for this first day, we’ve been improving each lap. At first we encountered some difficulty adapting to the wet asphalt, but as the track was drying I felt more comfortable. In the second session a small setup change enabled me to push more. Let’s see tomorrow if it’s going to rain again or if we’re probably going to run in the dry. In any way and condition, we will have to give the maximum and remain at this level.”

Rain man Adam Norrodin was third behind Canet on the SIC Racing Team bike to make it three Hondas in the top three, with Mugello race winner Andrea Migno the first of the KTM machines in fourth, with Marco Pagliani making it three manufacturers in the top five on the Mahindra.

Impressive wildcard Georgi ended the day in sixth, unable to improve on his free practice one time after a crash in the second session, ahead of Tony Arbolino, the second Team Sky KTM of Niccolo Bulega, the Mahindra of Albert Arenas and with Tatsuki Suzuki rounding out the top ten.

Last year’s Brno winner John McPhee came home in fifteenth despite losing out on track time in the second session with minor technical problems.

“I really enjoyed being back on the bike today. The rain put a bit of a twist in things but I still had a lot of fun. Free practice one was a good session and I felt like I found more feeling with the bike in the rain than I’ve had all year.

“In free practice two I had a few small issues which meant I lost valuable track time but fortunately was able to get my name back on the board in the last few minutes of the session. I’m looking forward to whatever tomorrow brings weather wise and feel like I can be strong in all conditions.”