Il Nuovo Postiglione - Espargaro quickest in Catalunya practice as Marquez struggles

Six-time world champion Marc Marquez, eyeing his first win in almost three years after back-to-back runner-up finishes, could only finish 12th fastest and missed out on an automatic spot for Saturday's second qualifying session.

Marquez, who has been revitalised this season after leaving long-time team Honda for Ducati-Gresini, sits third in the riders' standings after the first five races.

Espargaro, who is yet to claim a top-five finish in a race this year, posted a track record time of one minute and 38.562 seconds, edging out the fastest laps of South African Brad Binder and rising Spanish star Pedro Acosta.

"It was a good day even if it was much more difficult than it looks because the grip is really difficult," said Espargaro.

"I didn't think I could go that fast and break the track record."

Two-time defending world champion Francesco Bagnaia was fourth quickest, ahead of Jack Miller and Martin, who was fastest in the opening session.

Leading practice times on Friday (Q = qualifies for second round of qualifying on Saturday):

1. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1:38.562 (Q), 2. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) at 0.072secs (Q), 3. Pedro Acosta (ESP/GasGaS-Tech3) 0.103 (Q), 4. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 0.133 (Q), 5. Jack Miller (AUS/KTM) 0.140 (Q), 6. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 0.231 (Q), 7. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Ducati-Pramac) 0.269 (Q), 8. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati) 0.455 (Q), 9. Alex Rins (ESP/Yamaha) 0.481 (Q), 10. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) 0.496 (Q)

11. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.551, 12. Marc Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.591, 13. Miguel Oliveira (POR/Aprilia-Trackhouse) 0.788, 14. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 0.790, 15. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.820

A.Imbrogno--INP