MotoGp in Aragon, Marc Marquez dominates free practice. Bagnaia sixth

It’s been three years and more than a thousand days since he won a GP. On this anticlockwise track, with many left turns, it could be the right time. Marc Marquez dominated the first day of free practice in Aragonshowing an impressive pace and closing with an abysmal advantage over his opponents. He also left behind the two official Aprilias, who were very fast on the (soft) tyres on the flying lap at the end of the day. It’s only Friday, but the Gresini team rider has never been so fast this season. Pecco Bagnaia in the afternoon he limited the damage, after a morning in which the lack of grip had made it impossible for the Gp24 to enter the curve: Pecco was satisfied with the sixth fastest time, 774 thousandths behind the Catalan, a result that allowed him – unlike the unlucky Bastianini – to go directly to Q2 tomorrow morning.

Aprilia good, Bastianini unlucky

Today’s virtual podium also includes Aleix Espargarójust under three tenths, and VinalesWhile Martin with the Ducati branded Pramac he finished fourth at more than half a second. Three other Reds behind the Madrid native (Alex Marquezthe world champion and Morbidelli), so the Honda of a surprising Zarco, Raul Fernandez e Miguel Oliveira with the Noale bikes in the Trackhouse version. «Four Aprilias in the top ten means that the bike is competitive even with different riders», he smiles Roman Albesiands Aprilia. Forced to Q1 the KTMs of Binder e Acostathe Vr46 couple (By Giannantonio, Bezzecchi), then a Bastianini (15th) who was completing a nice lap but whose race was cancelled by the yellow flag after the fall of Miller. The Yamahas are very far away Rins e Quarterly.

Marquez: «I will try not to overdo it»

It hasn’t happened since 2021, to see him in front in two daily sessions. Marc Marquez responds to Sky: «I like the track, if we start with a good base we can have a good weekend and fight for the win. This morning everything was fine, we didn’t touch anything; in the afternoon we pushed a bit more with the front tire, I felt comfortable. Now we have to work on the pace and tire wear». In the last corner he is scary fast. «I have to concentrate so as not to overdo it». The garage wanted him to come in, he disobeyed: «I was having too much fun». Will he finally return to success? «Sooner or later it will happen. I’m not obsessed with it».

Bagnaia, sigh of relief: «We’ve fixed it»

Bagnaia smiles halfway: «Unfortunately the morning session was completely lost, and for external reasons that I can’t explain», says the Piedmontese. «A session wasted, we didn’t know which direction to take. In the afternoon we tried but it wasn’t the right choice, we went the other way and finally I lowered the time by 7 tenths. On the final lap a yellow flag got in the way, but all in all I can be happy with how it ended». Tomorrow a leap in quality is needed. «The choice of the front tyre is the real question mark. Behind the soft is like a qualifying tyre, I think we’ll use it in the sprint».