Rookie Fermin Aldeguer shines at wet Sepang as Alex Marquez crashes and Marc Marquez remains sidelined.
SPANISH rookie Fermin Aldeguer was fastest at a rain-interrupted Malaysian MotoGP first practice on Friday as compatriot Alex Marquez crashed.
Ducati-Gresini rider Aldeguer topped the timesheets with a fastest lap of 2min 00.199sec at rainy Sepang, ahead of Italian Francesco Bagnaia by 0.256sec.
Marquez, who is aiming to secure second spot in the overall standings this weekend, crashed after he skidded off the tarmac at Turn 7 midway through the session.
The Ducati-Gresini racer was seventh in a time of 2:00.720.
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A torrential downpour brought out the yellow flag, temporarily halting proceedings, before the session resumed in the final 90 seconds.
The Malaysian MotoGP is without newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after the Spaniard suffered a collarbone injury at the Indonesian Grand Prix this month.
Aldeguer, 20, went on to win the race for his first MotoGP victory.
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In Marc Marquez’s absence, attention will turn to his younger brother Alex, who is on course to secure a historic Marquez one-two in the MotoGP standings this weekend. – AFP
