Alex Marquez delivered a standout performance on Friday at the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain, showcasing his speed and skill. The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider clocked a rapid lap time of 1:35.704, securing the top position in practice with a margin of 0.333 seconds over Fabio Di Giannantonio, who rides for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. Marco Bezzecchi, leading the World Championship and representing Aprilia Racing, rounded out the top three.
Early Drama Unfolds
The MotoGP practice session in Jerez experienced early drama as Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati Lenovo Team fell at Turn 1 during his first flying lap. Bagnaia was closely following Marquez when the incident occurred. Despite this setback, Di Giannantonio took an early lead, briefly holding P1 with Marquez trailing closely behind by 0.046 seconds.
Marquez Dominates the Session
As the session progressed, Jorge Martin from Aprilia Racing also faced troubles, losing control at Turn 13. However, Di Giannantonio managed to extend his lead to 0.339 seconds after switching to fresh Michelin tires. Meanwhile, several Honda riders, including Johann Zarco and Joan Mir, moved into the top six, with reigning champion Marc Marquez in P5.
Final Minutes of Practice
The last minutes of practice saw a flurry of activity. Ai Ogura and Bezzecchi clawed into the top five, while Zarco and Fermin Aldeguer pushed challengers down the rankings. Alex Marquez then made his mark, posting two consecutive fastest laps, solidifying his position at the top.
- Alex Marquez: 1:35.704
- Fabio Di Giannantonio: P2
- Marco Bezzecchi: P3
- Marc Marquez: P4
- Jorge Martin: P5
Conversely, Pedro Acosta from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing faced challenges throughout, ending the practice in P15 and set to battle in Q1 for the first time this season. His teammate Brad Binder finished in P16, meaning both factory KTMs will have work to do on Saturday.
Looking Ahead: Tissot Sprint Saturday
MotoGP qualifying is set to begin at 10:50 a.m. local time, followed by the Tissot Sprint at 3:00 p.m. Fans can expect an exciting showdown as riders gear up to secure their positions for the race.
Stay tuned to El-Balad for the latest updates and results from Jerez.
