The air of Italy brings benefits to Team Gresini MotoGP as both riders managed to earn the direct seed to Q2 today at Mugello. This is the third time in the season after the inaugural Grand Prix in Qatar and the Spanish event at Jerez de la Frontera. Marc Marquez was fifth quickest in practice with Alex in eight place, with the two separated by slightly more than half a tenth. 
 
In what has been – at least in the previous two GPs – a nightmare of a day, the smile is back on everyone’s face. Both riders will be able to work with a clear head in FP2 aboard their light-blue liveried Ducatis number 73 and 93 without any Q1 pressure and will be able to play their cards for pole position in what was the first of two home events for the Faenza-based squad. 

5^th MARC MARQUEZ #93 (1’45.345s)
“I had fun here today. I always struggled a bit here but today things went as hoped. We’re in a good place with regards to race pace, even though Pecco has something more, and we made a step forward with the time attack. Now there’s a difficult GP ahead: Q2 will be a challenga and we aim at a spot on the first two rows. We’re happy with the direct seed to Q2 and now we need to make sure it becomes a tradition.”
 
8^th ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’45.412s)
“I’m happy to be back in Q2 as so far our Fridays were not too kind. The feeling was good from the get-go, and we’ll work hard tomorrow in order to qualify on the first two rows. I lost a flying lap due to a slow rider in the racing line, but it went well and now we have a good opportunity for this weekend.”