Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez led MotoGP World Championship practice on Friday afternoon at Phillip Island in Australia. Riding the Gresini Racing Ducati on special Michelin tires, the Spaniard turned a lap time of 1:27.770.
His brother and team-mate Alex Marquez went one better than the others with a 1:27.872.
Marco Bezzecchi in the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati was third in 1:27.958.
Current World Championship points leader Jorge Martin on his Prama Pramac Racing Ducati finished fourth in the session with a time of 1:27.967.
Two-time winner and reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia was fifth in 1:28.013. Ducati Desmosedici GP24, Making five ducats in five.
Further, from Dorna’s press release:
Marc Marquez won on Friday as Bastianini faced Q1. The #93 moved to the top of the standings in the afternoon, ahead of Alex Marquez and Marco Bezecchi.
After no racing in FP1, Friday afternoon’s practice session at the Qatar Airways Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix proved to be a decisive and intense 60 minutes of action. A lack of track time didn’t hold him back. Mark Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who clocked an impressive 1:27.770 ahead of his brother on Friday. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). #73 improved on the final lap, ending the day by 0.102s after completing 25 laps. Meanwhile, Marco Bezecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) rounded out the top three in an impressive day for the Italian at Phillip Island.
There was plenty of drama in the session opener, with the chance of rain, riders and teams setting early benchmarks in the first five minutes. Championship leader George Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) falls in the opening 4 turns – rider OK. Then, with 45 minutes left, the red flag was shown due to safety issues, with both of them Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Martin have not set a time yet. The session continued, and Martin crucially moved into the top 10 on his first flying lap.
The #89 improved further, placing 0.009s behind Marc Marquez who was provisionally P1 ahead of the home hero. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) entered the bracket in 1:28. The #93 soon responded, eventually moving into the 1:27 bracket as Bagnaia moved into the top five. Marc Marquez’s time proved strong, with his brother soon joining him for a Gresini one-two.
Martin finished in fourth place at the end of Friday despite suffering an early crash, finishing in front of title rival Bagnaia. The reigning world champion failed to break into the 1:27 bracket but will sleep well after claiming a place in Q2 tomorrow. The Italian is first Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) in sixth place. #12th Aprilia rider and the only rider from the Nole factory to place in the top 10.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) pushed hard in the timed session and took seventh. The South African is 0.105s behind Vinales Fabio D’Giantantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who secured eighth at the end of the opening day. Di Giannantonio became the first player from his country. Franco Morbidelli(Prima Pramac Racing), with Alex Rin (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) holding an amazing 10Th.
Meanwhile, an uncertain Q1 awaits on Saturday, with tension now starting to build after Miller finished in 12th on Friday.Th After suffering the second accident of the day. The Australian joins in Q1 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), also suffering a crash with the starter – riders OK. Meanwhile, Ducati Lenovo team’s Ine Bastianini He will have work to do, the day ends at 16Th Position – 0.989s float.
Be sure to follow Saturday’s action at Phillip Island, with an extended FP2 session of MotoGP™ action starting at 10:00 local time (UTC +11), before the battle for pole position begins at 10:50 (UTC +11), at 15:00 (UTC +11 ) sets the grid for the inevitable Tissot Sprint!
