Johann Zarco was the fastest in the first free practice session of the Valencia MotoGP Grand Prix. Almost always a Ducati was at the top of the timing sheet, and the Frenchman ended up setting the pace.
The initial leader of the session was Zarco (Prima Pramac/Ducati), ahead of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda). The second flying laps completely changed the standings, with Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) moving to the top and Raúl Fernández (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team/Aprilia) to second.
Despite maintaining the lead, Martín saw Álex Márquez (Gresini/Ducati) closing in shortly after… before being overtaken by the same rival. He lost the lead to Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati), but Martín would return to the top of the timing sheet with a six-thousandth of a second advantage.