MotoGP Portimao: Marquez commands wet first practice

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez dominated the opening MotoGP practice at Portimao with a 1’50.666 lap in the final seconds.

A similarly late charge from Suzuki Ecstar’s Joan Mir claimed second with Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi the leading Ducati, in third.

Free practice kicked off in cold and wet conditions after heavy morning rain with track temperatures registering just 12℃. Marc Marquez setting the initial 1’57 benchmark on the Repsol Honda before his younger brother took charge and the times began to tumble.

Home talent Miguel Oliveira set the pace next time around, with a 1’53.035, Marquez trailing half second back with Takaaki Nakagami rounding out the top three on the LCR Idemitsu machine. Championship leader Enea Bastianini headed a Ducati train with Pramac’s Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin and factory rider Pecco Bagnaia in quick succession before the Italian leapfrogged the group to sit third with his fourth effort. Oliveira and Marquez continuing to battle for overall honours with KTM’s Brad Binder joining the fun, in fourth.

Bagnaia took charge after ten minutes of action thanks to a 1’51.739 with Marquez fending off the Ducati’s of Zarco and Jack Miller. Oliveira dropped to fifth ahead of Nakagami and Bastianini with Pol Espargaro, Alex Marquez and Binder completing the top ten.

Miller bettered his teammate next time around as Nakagami did likewise on his HRC captain. The LCR rider caught out and suffering a turn nine crash on his next personal best.

Midsession improvements found Monster Energy’s Franky Morbidelli running inside the top ten, and fastest Yamaha. Teammate Fabio Quartararo leading WithU RNF’s Andrea Dovizioso in 16th and 17th, with Darryn Binder 24th, just Aprilia wildcard Lorenzo Savadori behind and