Alonso has been the fastest rider on the first day at Le Mans with Esteban finishing second

The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team has started the French Grand Prix with both of its riders at the front. David Alonso has been the fastest rider on the first day of practice, with his teammate Joel Esteban, who had not ridden at Le Mans before, finishing second. The Colombian rider has started very strong and for the third consecutive weekend he has broken the track record. In the morning, Alonso has finished first, more than seven tenths ahead off the rest of the riders, setting a time of 1:40.792. With this time, the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider has managed to improve the circuit record held by Jaume Masià since 2020 by 607 thousandths of a second. But, in the afternoon, Alonso has gone one step further and has improved his own record by three tenths to 1:40.470. Since the Americas Grand Prix Alonso has led all the practice sessions and today at Le Mans he has proved that he is one step ahead of his rivals. 

Joel Esteban has shone on the first day at Le Mans and he has finished second. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider has shown a great adaptation to a circuit he did not know and has made remarkable progress throughout the day: in the first practice he finished twentieth, more than a second and a half off Alonso's best time, while in the afternoon he has reduced the gap to just four tenths. The rookie is satisfied with the work done, but is aware that there is still room for improvement for tomorrow's qualifying. Just behind the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders has finished World Championship leader Dani Holgado, who has ended more than half a second off Alonso's time and a tenth of a second behind Esteban.

1st David Alonso (1:40.470): "We are doing a great job, but the points will not be awarded until Sunday. The first day has gone well and we have improved some things compared to last year. I am always looking for where to improve and even if there is a big gap to the rest now, they always get closer. Here the tyre seems to be holding up well and I think we can do a good time on used tyres. Tomorrow the track will be better and maybe we can progress more."

2nd Joel Esteban (+0.480): "We are doing a great job, we are making progress and I am getting closer to the front positions. Today I have felt very comfortable on the bike, I am enjoying it. I have finished second on a new circuit for me and I am very happy. Tomorrow, I want to continue in the same line as today, I still have room for improvement at this circuit and I hope to go straight into Q2."