As predicted by the local weather forecasts it was a wet and windy afternoon at Sachsenring although the MotoGP teams and riders were able to at least enjoy some dry track time in this morning's opening free practice session. Alvaro Baustista worked feverishly on the set-up of his bike and his lap times were solid around the tight and twisty track. Michele Pirro made a competitive start to the weekend amongst his CRT rivals, proving that the FTR could be adapted to the unique demands of this particular track.

It was difficult, especially in the final part of the session when it started raining again. Anyway, with the changes we made my feeling was quite good

Alvaro Bautista ( 8th 1’ 23” 203 ) 
“We lapped in wet and dry conditions today, which gave us the chance to work on the suspension setting for the dry this morning and then try to gather confidence in different conditions this afternoon. It was difficult, especially in the final part of the session when it started raining again. Anyway, with the changes we made my feeling was quite good. Now we just have to hope for better weather tomorrow because I definitely prefer the dry conditions.”

Michele Pirro (14° 1’ 24” 659)
“It has been a good day because this morning we were running consistently with the best CRTs and here at Sachsenring we have closed the gap even further. We had some stuff to try this afternoon and unfortunately the rain spoiled our plans but we found a good compromise with the wet setting so I am happy. Hopefully we get dry weather tomorrow and on Sunday.”

Fausto Gresini
“Alvaro did a good job this morning and he was fast and consistent. In the afternoon the session was interrupted by the rain and we weren't able to complete the work we had planned. It's a shame but we will try to make up for lost time tomorrow, providing the rain stays well clear. We have seen again today that our project with Michele Pirro is closing the gap to the top CRT and our bike has adapted well to the Sachsenring circuit, which is a very unique track. The rain was a setback because we had some new things to try so we just have to hope for better weather tomorrow.”

1 Dani PEDROSASPARepsol Honda TeamHonda 1'32.228
2 Stefan BRADLGERLCR Honda MotoGPHonda 1'32.3040.076
3 Jorge LORENZOSPAYamaha Factory RacingYamaha 1'32.3270.099
4 Casey STONERAUSRepsol Honda TeamHonda 1'32.4080.180
5 Valentino ROSSIITADucati TeamDucati 1'32.5320.304
6 Nicky HAYDENUSADucati TeamDucati 1'32.6570.429
7 Cal CRUTCHLOWGBRMonster Yamaha Tech 3Yamaha21'32.7440.516
8 Andrea DOVIZIOSOITAMonster Yamaha Tech 3Yamaha 1'32.8170.589
9 Ben SPIESUSAYamaha Factory RacingYamaha 1'33.1070.879
10 Hector BARBERASPAPramac Racing TeamDucati 1'33.1470.919
11 Alvaro BAUTISTASPASan Carlo Honda GresiniHonda 1'33.2270.999
12 James ELLISONGBRPaul Bird MotorsportART 1'34.8942.666
13 Aleix ESPARGAROSPAPower Electronics AsparART 1'34.9102.682
14 Mattia PASINIITASpeed MasterART 1'34.9462.718
15 Yonny HERNANDEZCOLAvintia BlusensBQR 1'35.2042.976
16 Randy DE PUNIETFRAPower Electronics AsparART251.51'35.3113.083
17 Danilo PETRUCCIITACame IodaRacing ProjectIoda250.51'35.3553.127
18 Michele PIRROITASan Carlo Honda GresiniFTR259.31'35.4613.233