Wow.  FP1 results are a bit shocking to me.  Granted the top 5 had tested here this year already and Aleix also had the advantage of a softer tire, but a second+ faster than the nearest factory machine is eye opening.  I realize of course that its only FP1 but a full second seems alot to make up. 
It may well be back to the old guard tomorrow, but if this continues throughout the weekend its sure to put the GP paddock on its ear.  Fuerza Aleix!

1.    Aleix Espargaro    ESP   NGM Forward Racing (Forward-Yamaha)    1m   55.201s   
2.    Alvaro Bautista    ESP   Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RC213V)    1m   55.667s   |   +0.466s
3.    Bradley Smith    GBR   Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)    1m   55.816s   |   +0.615s
4.    Andrea Iannone    ITA   Pramac Racing (Desmosedici)    1m   55.996s   |   +0.795s
5.    Pol Espargaro    ESP   Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)    1m   56.020s   |   +0.819s
6.    Dani Pedrosa    ESP   Repsol Honda Team (RC213V)    1m   56.332s   |   +1.131s
7.    Valentino Rossi    ITA   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1)    1m   56.542s   |   +1.341s
8.    Colin Edwards    USA   NGM Forward Racing (Forward-Yamaha)    1m   56.626s   |   +1.425s
9.    Jorge Lorenzo    ESP   Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1)    1m   56.668s   |   +1.467s
10.    Nicky Hayden    USA   Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R)    1m   56.670s   |   +1.469s
11.    Marc Marquez    ESP   Repsol Honda Team (RC213V)    1m   56.682s   |   +1.481s
12.    Stefan Bradl    GER   LCR Honda MotoGP (RC213V)    1m   56.726s   |   +1.525s
13.    Cal Crutchlow    GBR   Ducati Team (Desmosedici)    1m   57.046s   |   +1.845s
14.    Andrea Dovizioso    ITA   Ducati Team (Desmosedici)    1m   57.100s   |   +1.899s
15.    Yonny Hernandez    COL   Pramac Racing (Desmosedici)    1m   57.623s   |   +2.422s
16.    Karel Abraham    CZE   Cardion AB Motoracing (RCV1000R)    1m   57.779s   |   +2.578s
17.    Hiroshi Aoyama    JPN   Drive M7 Aspar (RCV1000R)    1m   58.182s   |   +2.981s
18.    Hector Barbera    ESP   Avintia Racing (Avintia)    1m   58.394s   |   +3.193s
19.    Scott Redding    GBR   Go&Fun Honda Gresini (RCV1000R)    1m   58.495s   |   +3.294s
20.    Mike Di Meglio    FRA   Avintia Racing (Avintia)    1m   58.732s   |   +3.531s
21.    Danilo Petrucci    ITA   IodaRacing Project (ART)    1m   59.321s   |   +4.120s
22.    Broc Parkes    AUS   Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART)    1m   59.328s   |   +4.127s
23.    Michael Laverty    GBR   Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM-ART)    No Time

Salute to Romano Fenati leading the charge in both FP1 and 2 in Moto3.  Ive been following this kid since he podiumed at Qatar two years ago and went on to win his first race in Jerez.  He is now part of Rossi's moto3 team and its great to see him back at the sharp end. 

Not what I would have guessed either. In fact, there's a lot of stuff in there I didn't expect. Sure, maybe expectations return to normal by race time, but this is already fun.

Are Edwards and Aleix on the same machinery?

In Moto2, Herrin is almost 2 seconds behind his teammate.

As usual the track is in poor condition with a lot of sand. Once it cleans up I'm betting on business as usual

As long as it doesn't turn into a curling event.

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Quote from: Black Hills on March 20, 2014, 06:20:27 PM

As usual the track is in poor condition with a lot of sand. Once it cleans up I'm betting on business as usual

As long as it doesn't turn into a curling event.

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That was  defining moment in Gibernau`s career.

Don't read into it.  AI said it best... 

Original Allen Iverson Practice Rant

Maybe.

Reading some interviews, it sounds like Big Espargaro was the only one of the fast guys who ran the soft tire. That explains a lot. And the factory guys didn't test there with the others. They'll probably make pretty big gains tomorrow.

FP2 in the books.  Aleix still on top from Dovi and Alvaro.  Pedrosa the closest factory bike in 4th - .573 adrift. 
Bradley Smith and Polyccio still ahead of the factory yammies. 

Its still early of course.  The big possum walks late. 

Okay, I just looked at the FP3 times and I'm genuinely scratching my head. I really expected the factory guys to be back up on top by now.

Dovi - 4th
Marquez - 5th
Lorenzo - 7th
Rossi - 9th
Pedrobot - 10th
Crutch(very)low - 12th

Huh. Can't  wait to see the qualy times.