On a dry Misano track, Marc Márquez led the opening MotoGP practice session of the San Marino GP, setting the pace ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi and Trackhouse Racing’s Raúl Fernández.
Building on his momentum from Aragón, where he swept both victories, Marc Márquez laid down an immediate marker by pacing the opening Free Practice session. Heading into the weekend at his most successful clockwise circuit, where he boasts six career victories, the Spaniard sets high expectations.
Although Aprilia looked more competitive in the early stages, Ducati ultimately responded through Marc Márquez, who clocked a session-best 1:31.468 to take top spot, contrasting with his teammate Francesco Bagnaia’s disappointing P18. Despite a spirited effort on home soil, local favourite Marco Bezzecchi had to settle for second, just ahead of Fernández in third.
Álex Márquez secured fourth position, while French rider Johann Zarco claimed an encouraging fifth place in just his second race weekend back following his violent crash in Barcelona.
Despite an early fall, Pedro Acosta ended the session in sixth, ahead of Luca Marini, who had run as high as third earlier in the morning. Championship leader Jorge Martín finished eighth, with Fabio Quartararo and Fabio Di Giannantonio rounding out the top ten in under 0,5s.
Test and replacement rider Pol Espargaró placed his Tech3 KTM in 11th, ahead of Gresini’s Fermín Aldeguer, Franco Morbidelli, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, and local star Enea Bastianini.
The opening session of the San Marino GP was punctuated by early incidents, with Jack Miller down at Turn 4 before Pedro Acosta suffered a similar fate at Turn 1 just minutes later. The Australian was able to rejoin but ultimately finished down in 17th.
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