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Alex Marquez Sets Friday Pace at Portimão as Bagnaia Closes to 0.030s

Rain threats kept strategies cautious during a reshuffled opening day at Portimão.

Overview

  • Alex Marquez led both sessions and set the day's best MotoGP lap at 1:37.974 to top Friday practice.
  • Francesco Bagnaia recovered from a muted FP1 to finish second in the timed session by 0.030s, with Pedro Acosta third and Marco Bezzecchi fourth.
  • Factory Ducati stand-in Nicolo Bulega completed an eye‑catching debut, placing 14th in FP1 and 17th in the afternoon, one second off the benchmark.
  • Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez crashed heavily at Turn 1 in FP1, was assessed at the circuit, and was sent to a local hospital for a CT scan.
  • Aron Canet headed Moto2 all day with a new 1:41.210 lap record as late rain limited running, while David Almansa topped Moto3 Practice after Dennis Foggia led FP1 on his return.