Alex Marquez shines at Jerez with P1 in FP1 despite crash

The opening session of MotoGP™ action concluded with a Marquez on top but not the Championship leader; Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was on top despite a Turn 1 fall as Jerez action ignited on Friday morning. With four Spanish riders inside the top five, there’re plenty of reasons for the home faithful to be out in force throughout the weekend.

Topping the session, Marquez of the Alex variety was looking good, even if he did have to hijack a scooter back to the pits after a Turn 1 fall. Denying his brother who was briefly top, Alex’s quest for premier class win #1 have started well at home. There was early drama for Marc Marquez as it took him the thick end of 20 minutes to set a lap time, having not been happy with the feeling straight out the box. However, with his first lap putting him P11 and then working his way into P1, any gremlins in the opening stages were banished. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) continued his Qatar GP strength and was P3 in FP1, ahead of Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol), the latter of which was over a second quicker than in the same session in 2024.

Making it two Yamahas inside the top six, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) was just shy of seven tenths off of the #73 at the top, whilst P3 in the Championship Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was seventh at the first chequered flag of the weekend. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) was eighth and made it two Hondas in the top eight, ahead of home-hero Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Lusail podium finisher Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

On his return to Grand Prix action, Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Test Team) was P11 whilst the best Aprilia was 13^th and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing). KTM duo Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and teammate Pedro Acosta were 14^th and 18^th respectively, whilst Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) completed the field.