Motegi (Japan) (AFP) – The Spanish rider Álex Márquez (Ducati-Gresini) set a new record at the Motegi circuit, this Friday in the first free practice sessions of the Japanese Grand Prix, dominated by the current world runner-up.

First modification: 02/10/2026 - 12:14

Márquez set a best time of 1:42.81, ahead of Pedro Acosta, with KTM, who was second at 76 thousandths.

The current world champion, Marc Márquez, brother of Álex, set the third best time with the official Ducati, while the World Championship leader, also Spaniard Jorge Martín, had to settle for eighth place.

Martín arrives in Japan with a 12-point advantage over the eldest Márquez, with seven races left in the championship.

Local idol Ai Ogura, riding Aprilia, finished 15th in the practice session, but his bike began to spew thick white smoke and leak oil, causing a red flag and the temporary suspension of the session.

- Results of the first free practice sessions of the MotoGP Japanese GP:

. Results of the 2nd round of free trials:

1. Álex Márquez (ESP/Gresini Racing MotoGP) 1:42.811

2. Pedro Acosta (ESP/Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) at 0.076

3. Marc Márquez (ESP/Ducati Lenovo Team) 0.100

4. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Aprilia Racing) 0.218

5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) 0.349

6. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) 0.386

7. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) 0.419

8. Jorge Martín (ESP/Aprilia Racing) 0.464

9. Diogo Moreira (BRA/LCR Honda IDEMITSU) 0.495

10. Johann Zarco (FRA/LCR Honda CASTROL) 0.574

© 2026 AFP

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