The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team rider finished second on the first day of practice for the Catalan Grand Prix, while David Alonso failed to make the cut and will have to compete in Q1 tomorrow

Dani Holgado got off to a great start to the weekend by setting the second fastest time of the day. The Spanish rider, who led this morning's free practice, is one of the most consistent riders in the intermediate category in Barcelona and, in the afternoon, he was just 51 thousandths off the fastest time, which on this occasion was set by Aron Canet. Jake Dixon, in third, completed the top three in the intermediate category, while Moto2 leader Manu González could only manage tenth place, two tenths behind Canet. David Alonso, on the other hand, did not have his best start to the weekend and will have to go through Q1 tomorrow after setting the 23rd fastest time. 

The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team saw both sides of the coin on the first day of work at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Dani Holgado was very competitive in this morning's free practice, where he was the fastest and beat the more experienced riders in the intermediate category. The Spaniard took advantage of the test carried out a few months ago at the Catalan circuit, which allowed him to start from a good position today. In the afternoon, Holgado was once again one of the riders to beat and remained at the top of the standings. The category rookie finished second with a time of 1:42.219, just 51 thousandths of a second off the reference time. His teammate David Alonso had to work hard to climb up the standings. The CFMOTO Impulse Aspar Team rider did not have the best start to the weekend and, after finishing fourteenth this morning, the afternoon session did not offer a very different scenario. Alonso failed to secure a place in tomorrow's Q2 after his 1:43.020 put him in twenty-third position. However, the Colombian is optimistic and confident that he will be able to get through Q1 tomorrow to fight for a good starting position in Sunday's race.

2nd Dani Holgado 1:42.219 (+0.051): “I'm very happy with my performance in both sessions today. I was fastest in the morning, and in the afternoon I fought for that top spot. The tyres are going to be key: the front tyre drops off quicker than usual after a few laps. Also, it doesn't allow me to feel comfortable on the bike, and I'm feeling stiffer. On the time attack, we're very competitive, but I want to improve my pace and feelings. Tomorrow we'll try the other compound to see what it gives us. We can fight for pole, but it's not something I'm thinking about too much; it's more about improving a few tenths in each sector.”

23rd David Alonso 1:43.020 (+0.852): “It's a track that doesn't suit my style and it was difficult for me, but just like at the beginning in Moto3 it was very difficult for me. You have to brake lightly, let the bike run in the corner... and I'm trying to see what we can do, because I'm not comfortable. In the fast corners in the last sector, I don't have the speed at the beginning and then I can't get it back. We have to work with the data to see how we can improve the bike, but I also have to change the way I ride here. Surely, riding behind someone tomorrow to see their lines will also help us.”