Gresini – Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com Your daily source of motorsport news, features, results and images Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:27:33 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.png Gresini – Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com 32 32 Di Gianantonio: ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/10/23/di-gianantonio-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/10/23/di-gianantonio-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day/#respond Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:21:48 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=131314 Fabio Di Gianantonio rued the fact that Gresini wasn’t “patient” enough with him following his debut rostrum at Phillip Island, remarking that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” The Italian was left without a berth in the premier class for 2024 after the Gresini squad elected to drop him amidst a tough sophomore campaign in […]]]>

Fabio Di Gianantonio rued the fact that Gresini wasn’t “patient” enough with him following his debut rostrum at Phillip Island, remarking that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

The Italian was left without a berth in the premier class for 2024 after the Gresini squad elected to drop him amidst a tough sophomore campaign in the series, Di Gianantonio running as consistently the slowest of the Ducati-equipped pilots for the bulk of the year.

As Honda refugee Marc Marquez was confirmed to be taking over his ride within the Gresini team next season, Di Gianantonio made a key breakthrough with the setup on his machine. He secured points in both the sprint and grand prix races in the Japanese Grand Prix before scoring a best-ever result of fourth in Indonesia.  

Di Gianantonio managed one better to secure a debut podium finish in this weekend’s Australian GP having fought for victory throughout the contest. He admitted post-race that “sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time”, and wished that Gresini had a “little more patience with me” before opting to drop him.  

“Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time, and everything happened so fast with Marc (Marquez) and things so if that hadn’t happened and the team had a little more patience with me things could have been easier,” explained Di Gianantonio.

“It’s only my second year in MotoGP, and other riders have done an incredible job from the start of their careers here but for me, it just took a little more time.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, so you have to work and understand against the best riders in the world and sometimes you just have to trust.

“It isn’t easy, but keeping up the hard work paid off in the end.”

Di Gianantonio added that he “took a little step back” in terms of aggression while fighting for victory in the closing laps with the likes of Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia as “they are fighting for the championship”.  Admitting the race felt “long”, he relished to fight the opportunity to fight up front and described the encounter as a “pure, fun race.”

“It was a long race for sure, as Pecco (Bagnaia) said we weren’t ready to do this long distance on Saturday, but it was a pure, fun race,” continued Di Gianantonio.

“I started well and was fast from the beginning, I tried to manage the rear tyre but I was also trying to push a little bit to not lose too much ground in the first laps.

“Then I caught Brad (Binder) and passed him, so I tried to make a little gap but it was not possible. Also, there was a little bit of wind, and when you were in front it was more difficult to push.

“The two in front were quite strong, and I wanted to overtake Pecco at Turn 4, but he did really well and I saw a little gap but I didn’t want to get into anything as they were fighting for the championship so I took a little step back.

“I knew I could have another opportunity to overtake Jorge later, so I tried to copy Pecco’s moves on me and it worked so it was a good race.”

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Gresini Ducati announces Marquez signing for 2024 MotoGP attack https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/10/12/gresini-ducati-announces-marquez-signing-for-2024-motogp-attack/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/10/12/gresini-ducati-announces-marquez-signing-for-2024-motogp-attack/#respond Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:17:36 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=129220 The Gresini Ducati MotoGP squad officially announced on Thursday in Indonesia that it has signed six-time premier class champion Marc Marquez to its line-up for 2024. It’s been an open secret that Marquez was on the move to the satellite Ducati outfit since his current team Honda announced it would be parting ways with the […]]]>

The Gresini Ducati MotoGP squad officially announced on Thursday in Indonesia that it has signed six-time premier class champion Marc Marquez to its line-up for 2024.

It’s been an open secret that Marquez was on the move to the satellite Ducati outfit since his current team Honda announced it would be parting ways with the Spaniard last week, bringing an end to months of rumors that he was looking to move to greener pastures as the manufacturer struggled to fix its troubled RC213V.

Marquez will join his brother Alex at the team to complete the all-sibling rider line-up at the Italian outfit, the younger Marquez having departed the Honda stable at the end of last season – his switch thought to be one of the main catalysts for Marc’s Ducati move.

Marquez’s confirmation also means that current Gresini rider Fabio Di Gianantonio is left without a berth in MotoGP for next year, forcing him to either switch to a different series entirely such as the World Superbike Championship, or potentially make the step back down to Moto2 going forwards.

Marquez says he is “excited” about taking on a different premier class machine for the first time in his decade-long MotoGP career, something he felt he had to do to get out of his “comfort zone” after so long racing with Honda.

“I’m excited about this new challenge. It wasn’t an easy decision because it’s a big change in every way,” explained Marquez in a statement confirming his move to Gresini Ducati for 2024.

“But sometimes in life, it’s important to get out of your comfort zone and put yourself through the paces to keep growing. Bike-chance-wise, I know I will have to adapt my riding style to a few things, and it won’t be easy.

“But I’m also sure that the whole Team Gresini will help me a lot. I can’t wait to get to know the team and start working with them. I’d like to thank Nadia, Carlo, and Michele for the trust and respect they showed me.” 

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Marquez remains with Gresini for 2024, team extends Ducati supply deal https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/08/10/marquez-remains-with-gresini-for-2024-team-extends-ducati-supply-deal/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:50:30 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=118681 Alex Marquez will remain in Gresini colours for the 2024 MotoGP season after agreeing a contract extension to remain with the squad for at least a another year. The Spaniard joined the outfit for 2023 following three-years as a Honda-contracted rider, Marquez spending his rookie campaign in 2020 with the factory Repsol Honda outfit before […]]]>

Alex Marquez will remain in Gresini colours for the 2024 MotoGP season after agreeing a contract extension to remain with the squad for at least a another year.

The Spaniard joined the outfit for 2023 following three-years as a Honda-contracted rider, Marquez spending his rookie campaign in 2020 with the factory Repsol Honda outfit before he replaced Cal Crutchlow as the marque’s unofficial third factory rider at LCR.

His struggles for form on the ever-worsening RC213-V ultimately led to a switch to Ducati machinery with Gresini for this year, a swap that instantly yielded speed and results as he bagged a first-ever premier class pole position and first podium since 2020 in Argentina – his second event with the team – while he currently sits ninth in the overall riders standings after nine races.

Marquez says he is “very happy” to be elongating his stay with the Italian squad for a further season, the three-time premier class rostrum finisher insisting another campaign working together for the two parties is “key” in order to keep building momentum within the garage as he continually learns about his new steed.

“I’m very happy to continue with the team. I’ve always expressed this desire of mine and when things go the right way it’s even easier to understand each other,” explained Marquez.

“To continue together for the next season is key in order to keep growing with this bike, and with this team everything is going to be easier.

“I would like to thank Nadia (Padovani, Gresini team owner) first and foremost, and then the whole team who made me feel at home from day one. We’ll keep growing and surprising.”

Gresini also confirmed another aspect of its future as it revealed it has signed a two-year extension to its Ducati supply deal, which initially began after it split from running Aprilia’s factory operation ahead of the 2022 term.

It now just needs to sort out whole will join Marquez within its riding line-up for next year, with Fabio Di Gianantonio heavily rumoured to be on his way out – with the likes of Moto2 front-runners Tony Arbolino and Jake Dixon linked with switches into the premier class, as well as Yamaha refugee Franco Morbidelli.

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Marquez: Final lap ‘big mistake’ nearly gifted Bezzecchi Silverstone sprint win https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/08/06/marquez-final-lap-big-mistake-nearly-gifted-bezzecchi-silverstone-sprint-win/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 08:25:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=118252 Alex Marquez revealed that he nearly threw away a first MotoGP sprint race win by accidently changing down a gear too many on the final lap at Silverstone. The Gresini Ducati pilot showed impressive consistency throughout the ten-lap encounter after taking the lead on the second tour, the Spaniard preserving a lead of around a […]]]>

Alex Marquez revealed that he nearly threw away a first MotoGP sprint race win by accidently changing down a gear too many on the final lap at Silverstone.

The Gresini Ducati pilot showed impressive consistency throughout the ten-lap encounter after taking the lead on the second tour, the Spaniard preserving a lead of around a second over pole-man Marco Bezzecchi right up until the closing stages of the contest.

The VR46 rider though seemingly had managed to save some more tyre than Marquez as he closed in by around half-a-second on the final lap to nearly get within striking distance for an attack at the death, though Marquez ultimately held it together across the final couple of sectors to take the chequered flag just 0.366s clear of the Italian.

Marquez conceded post race though that a “big mistake” when changing down his Desmosedici’s gearbox at Copse on the very final circulation, where he changed down to second rather than the third he should have, lost him around 0.5s and allowed Bezzecchi a look-in for a late move.

“I’m really happy, this morning was really difficult with the qualy but we saved it in a good way to be on the front row,” explained Marquez.  

“We expected the track to be wetter in the afternoon with more rain, but it was quite dry so everyone was having some doubts (over tyre choice) before the race but I felt really good from the sighting lap on the way to the grid.

“During the early part of the race I felt like I might be slipping a bit too much, but after a couple laps I felt I had a lot of traction and really good feeling with the bike and I said ‘I need to go and make the gap now’ which I did and everything worked perfectly.

“I haven’t got much to lose in terms of points, so I was able to take more risk.

“I did a big mistake in Turn 9 by missing the downshift, instead of taking the corner in third I did it in second and I lost around 0.5s.

“So I knew after that he (Bezzecchi) was close, but I was quite fast in sector three and four so I knew it would be tough for him to overtake me.

“I just kept my pace and made sure to keep my lines tighter than normal, so I’m really happy for the team because we had a tough start but we worked together to improve.”

Marquez – who is yet to score a full-length grand prix success in MotoGP – was guarded on whether he could achieve the Silverstone sweep on Sunday, earmarking his sprint rival Bezzecchi as well as Aprilia duo Maverick Vinales – who finished third in the sprint – and Aleix Espargaro as riders he’d be keeping his eye on during the British GP.

“For sure tomorrow will change a lot, it will be dry it seems and we saw yesterday especially Marco (Bezzecchi) really fast and with a good pace,” added Marquez.

“It will be a long race with 20 laps, Aprilia are also really fast and consistent so rear tyre choice will be important and managing that will be the key to the race because if you start to struggle for traction here you will lose a lot of time.”

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Marquez bats off Bezzecchi’s advances to score Silverstone sprint win, Quartararo 21st https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/08/05/marquez-bats-off-bezzecchis-advances-to-score-silverstone-sprint-win-quartararo-21st/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 14:40:11 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=118163 Alex Marquez romped to a maiden MotoGP sprint race victory at a damp Silverstone as he fended off the advances of pole-man Marco Bezzecchi in the closing stages. The Gresini rider dropped back from third on the grid in the early portion of the ten-lap encounter after being jumped by a fast-starting Jorge Martin, though […]]]>

Alex Marquez romped to a maiden MotoGP sprint race victory at a damp Silverstone as he fended off the advances of pole-man Marco Bezzecchi in the closing stages.

The Gresini rider dropped back from third on the grid in the early portion of the ten-lap encounter after being jumped by a fast-starting Jorge Martin, though he soon managed to get into his rhythm and moved back into the rostrum spots.

He then managed to move clear of Bezzecchi before swiftly dispatching leader at the end of the same tour, Marquez immediately dropping the pace further as he looked to break away from the pursuing VR46 Ducati behind.

The Spaniard managed to craft a lead of just over a second by the time Bezzecchi began to stem the flow, the latter starting to close back in as the lap counter dropped ever more.

The two-time premier class race victor narrowed the gap to less than half-a-second mid-way round the last lap as he tried to snatch away victory, though ultimately Marquez had enough in hand and took the chequered flag to secure supremacy by just 0.366s.

Maverick Vinales displayed encouraging pace for Aprilia in the middling conditions to come home third a few seconds adrift of the leading tussle, while Johann Zarco fought through to fourth thanks to a late race charge that saw him relegate Aleix Espargaro to fifth at the death.

Martin slipped to sixth in the final reckoning ahead of Miller, who struggled to maintain his early speed, while Augusto Fernandez did well to hang onto a couple points for eighth on his GasGas machine.

Brad Binder secured the final point in ninth on his KTM, with Miguel Oliveira coming through to complete the top ten for RNF Aprilia.

Series leader Francesco Bagnaia struggled to find grip on his wet rubber in the ever-drying conditions unlike those ahead, the factory Ducati pilot sliding all the way to 14th by the time he crossed the line just behind team-mate Enea Bastianini.

It was an equally tough day for the Japanese manufacturers as they occupied six of the bottom eight positions – Franco Morbidelli leading home the sextet in 15th well ahead of Yamaha team-mate Fabio Quartararo in a lowly 21st.

Joan Mir meanwhile ended up as the best-placed Honda in 17th overall just ahead of factory team-mate Marc Marquez, all four Honda’s ending up behind the returning Pol Espargaro’s GasGas in 16th.  

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Marquez heads Quartararo in opening Mugello practice https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/06/09/marquez-heads-quartararo-in-opening-mugello-practice/ Fri, 09 Jun 2023 09:44:31 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=111475 Alex Marquez came out in blistering form in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello by leading the test by under a tenth-of-a-second over Fabio Quartararo. The Gresini Ducati pilot provided a snapshot of his potential in the early goings of the 45-minute session as he went to the top of […]]]>

Alex Marquez came out in blistering form in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello by leading the test by under a tenth-of-a-second over Fabio Quartararo.

The Gresini Ducati pilot provided a snapshot of his potential in the early goings of the 45-minute session as he went to the top of the timesheets with a 1:46.852s effort, though he was swiftly demoted back by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro who banged in a 1:46.824s.

The Italian held onto the top spot for a while until the final mini-qualifying shootout got underway as the session entered its final five minutes, Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales getting the ball rolling with a 1:46.404s before quickly being deposed by Pramac’s Jorge Martin as well as Quartararo, the Yamaha rider showing encouraging speed early in the weekend.

The 2021 MotoGP world champion was denied a scratch FP1 time though as Marquez had a little more left in the tank, the Spaniard posting a 1:46.121s to secure leading honours by just 0.087s over Quartararo.

KTM’s Brad Binder was another late charger to grab third just ahead of French GP victor Marco Bezzecchi, while Johann Zarco completed the top five on his Pramac-run Ducati.

Martin slotted into sixth just behind his team-mate ahead of Franco Morbidelli, who proved Yamaha’s early event form was no fluke, the home hero just edging Vinales who faded to eighth ahead of Honda’s Marc Marquez and RNF Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez – the top ten covered by a slender 0.307s.

Pirro ended ip being knocked out of the top ten to 11th just clear of LCR Honda pair Alex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami, while factory Ducati duo Enea Bastianini and Francesco Bagnaia were left with work to do for FP2 after ending the outing 15th and 16th respectively.

Aleix Espargaro failed to post a competitive lap later in the session having been forced to undergo medical checks following a crash at the fast final bend, the Aprilia man tucking the front of his RS-GP after carrying too much speed into the entry of the long left-hander at the mid-point of FP1, the incident leaving him having to be helped away by the attending marshals as he struggle to walk under his own power.   

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Alex Marquez would have ‘stopped’ if Honda only MotoGP option for 2023 https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/06/02/alex-marquez-would-have-stopped-if-honda-only-motogp-option-for-2023/ Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:24:03 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=110587 Alex Marquez admits that he would have “stopped” his MotoGP career if a switch away from the Honda camp couldn’t have been secured for the 2023 campaign.   The 2019 Moto2 world champion managed to secure a seat with the independently-run Gresini Ducati operation for this season having been replaced at the LCR Honda squad […]]]>

Alex Marquez admits that he would have “stopped” his MotoGP career if a switch away from the Honda camp couldn’t have been secured for the 2023 campaign.  

The 2019 Moto2 world champion managed to secure a seat with the independently-run Gresini Ducati operation for this season having been replaced at the LCR Honda squad by Suzuki refugee Alex Rins, the Spaniard so far showing much stronger form at the controls of a Ducati following three largely tough years with Honda.

He has already secured a debut podium on the Desmosedici by taking third in the Argentinean Grand Prix – an event he also secured a maiden class pole position at – and currently sits 12th in the riders standings despite having suffered two DNF’s in the past three races.

Speaking to Austrian publication Speedweek, Marquez revealed that the biggest benefit he has found switching to the Ducati fold this season has not just been having access to a more competitive machine, but rather the fact he feels greatly more “considered and valued” than he did at Honda, despite not being directly contracted by Ducati in the same way he was at Honda.

He also added that he would have rather “quit” being involved in MotoGP than taking a role as Honda’s test rider should he not have found a new race berth, conceding he “lacked motivation” after three years within the Japanese manufacturer.

“For some time last year there were no options for me to continue,” explained Marquez.

“We talked about what to do, but I said, ‘If I can’t be in MotoGP, I’ll quit.’ A year for sure, after that I would see what was possible, maybe a role as a test driver… I also said: “No, if I have to continue at Honda, I’ll stop too.”

“I lacked motivation and didn’t feel the recognition I wanted. I want to be part of a project where I am listened to and valued.

“I don’t have a Ducati contract so the situation is a bit different than when I was at Honda. 

“But at Ducati, they listen to all riders, not just the guys on the factory team. 

“They’re open to everyone’s opinions and for a driver that feels good. They listen, help solve your problems and you are considered and valued. I really like that.”

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Marquez ‘super happy’ with maiden Ducati podium in ‘long’ Argentina race https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/04/04/marquez-super-happy-with-maiden-ducati-podium-in-long-argentina-race/ Tue, 04 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=104824 Alex Marquez was left enthused after scoring his first MotoGP podium finish on Ducati machinery in only his fourth race running the machine, admitting the Argentina Grand Prix felt “long”.   The Gresini pilot came out swinging on Saturday at the Termas de Rio Hondo to score a first-ever premier class pole position, though had […]]]>

Alex Marquez was left enthused after scoring his first MotoGP podium finish on Ducati machinery in only his fourth race running the machine, admitting the Argentina Grand Prix felt “long”.  

The Gresini pilot came out swinging on Saturday at the Termas de Rio Hondo to score a first-ever premier class pole position, though had to make do with fifth in the sprint race.

He then ran second for the majority of Sunday’s Argentina GP behind eventual victor Marco Bezzecchi, briefly losing the spot to Francesco Bagnaia until the factory Ducati rider then crashed out, before then losing it once more on the final lap to Johann Zarco – leaving him to complete the rostrum in third.

His podium result was his first since finishing second in the 2020 Aragon GP with the factory Honda squad, Marquez conceding the race felt “long” as a result of the tricky wet conditions, adding that he “would have signed the paper” had he been offered his eventual results tally prior to the weekend.    

“That was long, 24 laps felt so long trying to survive all the moments and be consistent,” explained Marquez to BT Sport.

“I’m super happy because it was so easy to make a mistake and not achieve points but we did something really good, so we need to keep working like this and we are going in a positive direction.

“If I came here before and you told me I’d get a pole, P5 in the sprint and then a podium I’d have signed the paper so it’s really positive, we are fourth in the championship in only the second race, so we can be satisfied for the future.”

Marquez also declared he is “enjoying a lot” his new Desmosedici following three largely tumultuous years in the Honda camp, the 2019 Moto2 world champion asserting that there is more to come as he is “still missing something with the riding style.”

“I’m enjoying (Ducati) a lot, to experience this after my first three years is really nice, and to be on the pole in the premier class is really amazing,” added Marquez.

“I can ride in a good way, I’m still missing something with the riding style so we need to improve this but we’re in a constant and positive progression and this is the thing we need to keep going.”

Marquez currently sits fourth in the riders standings following a successful opening two rounds of the 2023 term, just 17 points adrift of series leader Bezzecchi heading to the Circuit of the Americas for the US round of the championship in just under two weeks time.  

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Marquez nails slick tyre call to secure Argentina MotoGP pole https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/04/01/marquez-nails-slick-tyre-call-to-secure-argentina-motogp-pole/ Sat, 01 Apr 2023 14:49:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=104557 Alex Marquez nailed a late call to switch to slick tyres in the closing stages of qualifying for the Argentina Grand Prix to secure a maiden MotoGP pole position. The session started off damp as a result of a brief rain shower prior to the start of qualifying and the early stages of Q1, meaning […]]]>

Alex Marquez nailed a late call to switch to slick tyres in the closing stages of qualifying for the Argentina Grand Prix to secure a maiden MotoGP pole position.

The session started off damp as a result of a brief rain shower prior to the start of qualifying and the early stages of Q1, meaning all 12 riders within the pole shootout headed out on medium-compound wet rubber.

Johann Zarco managed to tame the tricky conditions best with a time of 1:46.834s ahead of Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales, with Marquez ending the opening runs down in seventh.

The Gresini pilot though – along with reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia and VR46 pairing Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini – elected to take a gamble and opt for slicks for the final run as the track began to slowly dry out, the other rider’s deciding to plump for a new set of wets.

The call for wets initially looked to be the way to go as Franco Morbidelli blew Zarco’s earlier effort out of the water, though Bezzecchi’s slicks switched on at the perfect moment as his final gambit of 1:44.053s fired him to the top of the times, though Marquez had a little more up his sleeve to snatch away the top spot by just 0.172s.

With his other two dry-tyre rivals failing to get anywhere near the Spaniard, a first ever premier class pole was his – meaning he will start at the point for Saturday afternoon’s sprint race as well as Sunday’s full-length grand prix.

This came despite a late crash in Q1 where he mid-judged an undercut on Honda’s Joan Mir at the final bend, with the crash also causing his primary Desmosedici to burst into flames on his way back to the pits after remounting.

Bezzecchi’s strong run was enough to keep him second on the grid, while Bagnaia also improved on his slick rubber to complete the front row and a Ducati 1-2-3 at the head of the field.

Morbidelli enjoyed his best run for a long while with a superb fourth for Yamaha ahead of Vinales, while Zarco ended up slipping to sixth by the end of the session.

Marini could only improve to seventh on his slicks ahead of Jorge Martin’s Pramac-run entry, with Friday pacesetter Aleix Espargaro grabbing ninth on the sister factory Aprilia ahead of Fabio Quartararo, the Frenchman joining Marquez in graduating from Q1.

LCR Honda duo Takaaki Nakagami and Alex Rins rounded off the pole shootout combatants, the former getting the better of his new team-mate by nearly half-a-second in the end.

RNF Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez meanwhile ended up as best of the rest in 13th overall having narrowly missed out on stealing Quartararo’s Q2 passage, the Spaniard just heading fellow sophomore racer Fabio Di Gianantonio on his Gresini Ducati.

KTM once again looked to be struggling around the Termas de Rio Hondo’s long curves, with the Austrian marque’s best-placed rider Brad Binder a lowly 15th on the grid just ahead of fellow RC16 pilot’s Jack Miller and Augusto Fernandez, the trio heading only Mir in the 18-man line-up.

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Marquez heads Mir in opening Portimao practice https://www.motorsportweek.com/2023/03/24/marquez-heads-mir-in-opening-portimao-practice/ Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:46:55 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=103792 Alex Marquez made the best possible start to life on a Ducati as he led proceedings in the opening practice session for the Portuguese Grand Prix ahead of Joan Mir. The session started off slow due to light rain coating the Algarve International Circuit, with only VR46 pair Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini – as […]]]>

Alex Marquez made the best possible start to life on a Ducati as he led proceedings in the opening practice session for the Portuguese Grand Prix ahead of Joan Mir.

The session started off slow due to light rain coating the Algarve International Circuit, with only VR46 pair Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini – as well as Pramac’s Johann Zarco – electing to brave the slippery track to post times, the conditions highlighted by a crash from Yamaha’s Franco Morbidelli as the Italian high-sided out of Turn 5.

The track began to dry out as the session reached mid-distance though, with Jack Miller moving to the top of the timing chart on his KTM with a 1:41.520s.

Jorge Martin managed to find good grip on the ever-improving surface though as he set three-consecutive fastest efforts, his 1:39.206s leaving him a decent way clear of the rest.

Marquez was on the prowl however as he managed to gradually build up his confidence having started slowly on the slicker circuit, the Spaniard firing in a storming 1:38.782s to snatch away the top spot as the clock ticked down.

Joan Mir ended up an impressive second on his Honda having threatened Marquez in the latter stages, though a weaker final split meant he slotted into the runners-up spot just 0.045s down on the Gresini pilot.

VR46 duo Marini and Bezzecchi continued their strong pre-season form to end the opening practice outing of the year in third and fourth respectively, while Zarco lifted himself up to fifth at the end.

Maverick Vinales was sixth for Aprilia just ahead of Martin, while Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo was a solid eighth – the Frenchman lapping just 0.499s adrift of Marquez’s benchmark despite running a used medium rear tyre rather than switch to new rubber like his front-running rivals.

Defending MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia was ninth on his Ducati, with the sister factory Honda of Marc Marquez completing the top ten.

Jack Miller ended FP1 as the highest-placed KTM rider in 12th as the Austrian brand continued to struggle for ultimate pace, the Aussie around seven-tenths-of-a-second from Marquez’s effort.

Freshly-signed factory Ducati man Enea Bastianini was 15th ahead of RNF Aprilia pairing Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, while Augusto Fernandez – the sole rookie in the 2023 field – showed encouraging speed in 19th, the 2022 Moto2 world champion just ahead of GasGas team-mate Pol Espargaro as well as 22nd-placed KTM factory ace Brad Binder.  

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