The pace at the MotoGP Valencia GP practice was truly impressive. The previous circuit record fell significantly, with Maverick Viñales being the fastest. Francesco Bagnaia couldn’t secure a top-ten spot, so he’ll have to go through the first qualifying tomorrow.
After the initial flying laps, Fabio di Giannantonio (Gresini/Ducati) led, with Raúl Fernández (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team/Aprilia) in second and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) in third. Di Giannantonio solidified his position but was chased by Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati). Martín was then overtaken by Álex Márquez (Gresini/Ducati).
After being the first to clock in at 1m29s, di Giannantonio remained ahead. Within the first ten minutes, Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) moved into second place. Several crashes had occurred by then, all without major consequences.
Despite changes in the timesheets behind him, di Giannantonio remained at the top, but that changed with 25 minutes remaining when Marc Márquez outpaced him. However, the six-time premier class champion was immediately overtaken by Martín, who was one-thousandth faster. With 23 minutes until the checkered flag, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia) set a new circuit record.
Di Giannantonio was just five milliseconds behind, and with 17 minutes left, the top four were within less than a tenth of a second. At 14 minutes remaining, a red flag was shown as riders like Bagnaia (Ducati) or Martín were preparing to take the track. The interruption was due to debris on the track from a heavy crash involving Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM).
The stoppage was brief. The bar was set high, but more riders improved their times. With two minutes to go, the top six were within 0.089s. Viñales stood out by clocking in at 1m29.142s. Martín improved but remained 0.147s behind Viñales, who held onto the lead.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac/Ducati) took third, with di Giannantonio in fourth and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati) in fifth ahead of Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM). Also making it to Q2 directly are Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda), Raúl Fernández, Miller, and Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia).
Among the riders relegated to Q1 is Bagnaia, who only managed the 15th fastest time. The championship leader was among those affected by the yellow flag in the final minute caused by Pol Espargaró’s (GasGas Tech3/KTM) crash.
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