Marc Marquez breaks new ground as Espargaro claims P2 in Aragon

It was a stunning end to MotoGP™ Practice at the Gran Premio GoPro de Aragon, with high-speed action and thrills to close Friday’s action. At the end of the hour-long session, it was Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) who came out on top - setting a stunning new lap record. The #93 had the best start to Friday since the 2021 Americas GP – topping both sessions. Marc Marquez ended the day ahead of Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro, who jumped to second and placed ahead of his teammate Maverick Viñales.

There were plenty of stories which formed throughout the session, with Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) suffering from issues early on, delaying valuable running for the #73 on track. Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) crashed at Turn 5, losing the front on entry. Moments after Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) lost the front at Turn 16, with both riders soon making their way back to the pits.

There was further drama later in the session, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashing at Turn 16, bringing an early end to the Australian’s Friday with less than one minute to go. This now leaves the #43 with work to do on Saturday – finishing 16^th.

After the time attacks had been completed, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) took fourth, after a busy session for the #89. Martin ends the day 0.578s adrift from the top, finishing ahead of Alex Marquez who recovered to P5 after a delayed start to the session. It capped off a brilliant afternoon for the Gresini squad, with both machines inside the top five.

Taking sixth was Francesco Bagnaia, who is the sole Ducati Lenovo Team rider inside the top 10 after Enea Bastianini was unable to put together an uninterrupted lap due to late yellow flags. The reigning World Champion ended the session in front of Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), who completed another solid start to a Grand Prix weekend in P7.

Meanwhile, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) took eighth, becoming the only Honda to secure direct entry to Q2 in 2024. The #5 was less than one second away from the top spot, as all focus now turns to Saturday. Behind the Frenchman and taking the final spots inside the top 10 were Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, who stunned to make it four Aprilias inside the top 10.

Now an action-packed Q1 awaits after a tough afternoon for the Pierer Mobility Group riders after Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Miller are now forced to battle it in Q1 with Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernandez. Both Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team riders were also outside the top 10, ahead of Bastianini with just two spots up for grabs on Saturday.

Don’t miss a show stopping Saturday in Aragon, with Free Practice 2 beginning at 10:10 local time (UTC +2) before an intense qualifying gets underway at 10:50 local time, so make sure you join us then for the battle for pole position!

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FULL RESULTS!