Moto3: Italians dominate on opening day at Mugello

The Italians have dominated on the opening day of their home Grand Prix at Mugello, as Fabio Di Giannantonio took the top spot in the first Moto3 practice sessions from Nicolo Bulega and Lorenzo Dalla Porta to make three manufacturers in the top three.

The first man to spoil their party was John McPhee in fourth on the British Talent Cup Honda, coming home only half a second from provisional pole man Di Giannantonio. He led Joan Mir and Jorge Martin to an all-Honda second row – and says eh feels like he’s made a step forward after a mediocre showing at Le Mans.

“After we went back to Le Mans and had a test on the Monday I felt like we made a step forward, I’ve felt really good on the bike, we’ve seen where we were going wrong in the last two races. We weren’t far away, we just had to make that small step but there were a couple of things we didn’t want to try on a race weekend because track time is limited.

“So we left Le Mans really optimistic but track conditions were different and there weren’t so many riders so it’s nice to come here and back it up on day one.

“I think it’s the first fully consistent weekend so far this season with the weather, which makes a big difference and means everyone has more time to dial in and get more comfortable – so to start how we have today is important because on weekends like these the downside is if you have issues you can end up a step behind people. So to finish day one where we were, really on the pace, not far off the pole position pace from the last two years, I think is really good for the rest of the weekend.”

Juanfran Guevara was seventh, with Romano Fenati, Aron Canet and Enea Bastianini making it five Italians in the top ten.