Marco Bezzecchi was the first rider to lead a free practice session of an Indian MotoGP Grand Prix. The event is making its debut on the calendar this weekend. The session lasted for 1h10, instead of the usual 45 minutes, allowing the riders to adapt to a new track for them. Miguel Oliveira finished in 17th place.
After the first flying laps of FP1 this Friday, Raúl Fernández (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team/Aprilia) was at the top of the timing sheets. The situation changed radically shortly after – as is usual in the early minutes – and Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) took the lead.
The Spaniard was overtaken twice in the following minutes, including by Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia). With about a quarter of an hour gone, the Spaniard was the first to establish himself at the front in a consolidated way.
However, at the half-hour mark, Martín returned to the top to stay there for almost half of the session. During this period, a spectacular accident occurred: Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) crashed at high speed in turn one and not only destroyed his bike, but also sustained some physical complaints.
Martín was surpassed by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia), but quickly reacted. However, with about five minutes to go, Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati) stopped the clock at 1m45.990s.
He was the only one to lap in the 1m45s, thus securing the session lead. Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) got close, finishing 0.139s behind. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Fernández and Viñales completed the top five. As for Oliveira, the Portuguese rider from CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team had a more discreet practice, finishing only in 17th place.
