MotoGP Australia, Marc Marquez flies in free practice

When the going gets complicated, Marc Marquez start playing. The Catalan ended a first day of free practice in front of everyone, devastated by rain, which caused the initial session to be canceled in the morning. The drivers only had an hour left in the afternoon to familiarize themselves with the new asphalt Phillip Island. The Catalan, who immediately appeared tremendously effective on the pace, eventually took his younger brother with him. Nice double for the Gresini team, which preceded many other Ducatis. He climbed to the virtual podium Bezzecchialso riding a Borgo Panigale jewel from last year.

Martin more effective than Bagnaia. For now

Then, the couple competing for the title: Martindespite a slip on the opening lap, did slightly better than a Bagnaia who had a bad time with the first Gp24 (“Too nervous”) and only in the last minutes of pre-qualifying did he set a fifth time which promoted him directly to Q2 on Saturday (scheduled for 2 am, while the sprint on Saturday will leave at 6 am Italian time). Vinales saves the Aprilia honor with 6th time, then Binder’s Ktm, another couple of Reds – Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli – and Rins who closes the group of the 10 best with the Yamaha. An unlucky man forced into Q1 Bastianini (16th), stopped by 2 yellow flags when he was looking for a good lap, together with Quartararo’s other M1 – failed by his teammate by just 15 thousandths – and the KTMs of Acosta and Miller, upside down in the final laps.

Last year’s Ducatis on the virtual podium

There are three GP23s on the virtual podium, it can’t be a coincidence: last season’s Ducatis seem to have an edge on the Australian track, at least for the moment. However, Martin wasn’t too bad. After the initial tumble – experienced with a bit of apprehension: the danger of a new storm, however, soon dissolved – the Spaniard has always remained with the best. Different story for Pecco, who immediately returned to the pits to change bikes: “He didn’t like the set-up”, confirms the team manager Davide Tardozzi. “It wasn’t easy because we had to speed up the operations, the second Ducati had a different balance and it felt better.” However, the good lap came with only 4 minutes remaining in the session.

An overbearing Marc Marquez: “I’m fast, I’m alive”

Marquez arrogant from the first lap: «I’m always immediately fast, alive: it’s one of my characteristics», laughs the Catalan. “I like this track, I felt good about it: just a few difficulties when I tried the start. We have to take a step forward on several things, but for the moment I’m happy. For half the race on Sunday we certainly have a great pace, tomorrow in the sprint it will be important to understand which tire can perform best. Martin seemed to be going very fast, but I’m sure that Bagnaia will also finish below.”

Serenity Bagnaia: “We are all very close”

Pecco appears calm, as always. “I wasn’t satisfied with the first bike,” he admits. “We wanted less vibration and less weight up front, we changed direction regarding the set up and with the other Ducati it immediately went better”. Four riders in front. “I wasn’t able to get the right time-attack, but today the goal was to be in the top 10: I’m happy”. In the second part of the sector, however, Marquez seems much faster. “I do turn 3 very well, the paradox is that I arrive too fast at 4. Marc, on the other hand, is impressive at 6: it was there that I wanted to push in the end, but I encountered 2 yellow flags. There is a point on the track where we lose something, but we know where to intervene.” According to Bagnaia, there is – at the moment – ​​no favourite. “Compared to Martin, in terms of used tires we are similar. Everyone is close, it’s difficult to make a difference on this circuit: I don’t see anyone stronger. Tomorrow, in the sprint, a good start will be important.”