MotoGP™ returned for further action at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) starting Saturday in style – bagging the top spot – after a confidence-boosting 1:44.569. It was the final chance for the premier class stars to finalise their settings, with conditions improving and the #1 claiming a 0.017s advantage over Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3). It was an impressive start to the day for the rookie, who will be setting sights on another podium. The #31 ended the morning in front of Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who continues to have a strong outing in Japan.
🔝 @PeccoBagnaia tops FP2!
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Just four riders in the 1:44s as we head into qualifying 🏁#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/yEk6n9SCRu
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) grabbed fourth spot after the Italian ended the morning as the final rider in the 1:44 bracket. Meanwhile, after topping Friday’s Practice, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top five, finishing in front of Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) in sixth. Behind the #72 was Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin, who was seventh and had a small moment at Turn 3 – running through the gravel. ‘The Martinator’ has shown consistent pace throughout the weekend, placing ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in FP2.
The final spots inside the top 10 were occupied by Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), with the #21 forced to battle in Q1 later on. Joining Morbidelli in Q1 will be Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), with the Aussie placing 11th as Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), had an eventful start to Saturday, crashing at Turn 6 in the final five minutes – rider OK.
A big one at Turn 6 for @JohannZarco1 😱
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 5, 2024
Thankfully he's up and OK! 👍#JapaneseGP 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/YY6LUYJOYJ
The action continues in Japan, so make sure you join us for qualifying at 10:50 local time (UTC +9), where the weather conditions could change before the Tissot Sprint gets underway at 15:00 (UTC +9)!
Top 10:
1 | Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) | 1:44.569 |
2 | Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) | +0.017 |
3 | Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) | +0.250 |
4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.365 |
5 | Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) | +0.495 |
6 | Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) | +0.517 |
7 | Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.589 |
8 | Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) | +0.661 |
9 | Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) | +0.791 |
10 | Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) | +0.834 |