Fabio Di Giannantonio sets the pace: FP1 shake-up at the Spanish Grand Prix

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Fabio Di Giannantonio topped the timesheets in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, with VR46 locking out the top two spots as MotoGP resumed action after its April hiatus.

The championship has returned to Jerez after a month-long break. The Qatar Grand Prix was pushed back to November because of events in the Middle East, stretching out a four-week gap between COTA and this round in Spain.

Only 21 full-time riders are taking part in Jerez. Maverick Vinales remains sidelined with a shoulder problem, while Pol Espargaro is also unable to step in due to his own injury issues.

Test riders are filling some gaps on the grid. Augusto Fernandez continues Yamaha’s development of their V4-powered YZR-M1, while Aprilia is using their concessions period to further tune their RS-GP with help from their test squad.

Marc Marquez had been dealing with his own shoulder injury earlier this season, but arrived in Jerez feeling confident about his fitness. He quickly found his pace, joining fellow Ducati riders near the top of the order early on.

Alex Marquez was running the new rear wing as Di Giannantonio went quickest in FP1 at Jerez

Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images

Gresini’s Alex Marquez didn’t waste any time getting out on track, taking Ducati’s latest rear wing for a run early in FP1 at Jerez. The 30-year-old also set the initial pace with a 1:37.332, edging ahead of his brother Marc and VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio.

On the other hand, Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, who has won all three Grands Prix so far this season, eased into FP1 more gradually. The championship leader moved up to second place after 30 minutes of running, just 0.015s off Alex Marquez.