News Summary
- Marco Bezzecchi beat Marc Márquez by just 0.103s to lead Friday Practice at Misano.
- Márquez had topped FP1 after a late exchange of fastest laps between the two championship contenders.
- With Bezzecchi showing strong pace despite his physical limitations, Aprilia and Ducati appear set for another close fight after Aragón.
Marco Bezzecchi delivered an immediate answer to Marc Márquez at Misano on Friday, beating the reigning MotoGP champion by just 0.103s and offering an early indication that the fight for victory at the San Marino GP could become another Aprilia-Ducati duel.
Márquez had the advantage in FP1, but Bezzecchi responded in the afternoon with a 1:30.144 to lead Practice. The pair traded blows across both sessions and were separated by little more than a tenth by the end of the opening day.
It was a significant start for Bezzecchi. The Italian remains physically limited following his recent injuries, but showed enough speed over Friday to suggest Márquez may not have the straightforward weekend the Ducati rider enjoyed at Aragón.
That possibility was already on Márquez’s mind before arriving in Italy. The Spaniard acknowledged that Misano was likely to be “a little more complicated” than Aragón, where he won both the Sprint and Grand Prix.
Márquez nevertheless began Friday as the benchmark. He moved towards the front during the first half of FP1 before taking first place with a 1:31.468 during the closing stages.
Bezzecchi immediately responded and the pair exchanged the top spot, but Márquez ultimately won the first round by 0.060s.
The pattern continued in Practice.
Bezzecchi remained near the front even as Álex Márquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Luca Marini and Pedro Acosta all featured at the top of the timing screens at different stages.
When the late time attacks began, Márquez produced a 1:30.247 and appeared poised to complete Friday with another session-leading lap.
Bezzecchi had one final response.
The Aprilia rider went fastest with a 1:30.144, beating Márquez by 0.103s and securing direct passage into Q2 as the quickest rider of the afternoon.
Friday alone does not make Bezzecchi the favourite for either race. Márquez arrived at Misano after sweeping the Aragón weekend with victories in both the Sprint and Grand Prix, and his ability to convert competitive race pace into victories remains one of Ducati’s strongest assets.
Misano, however, has so far produced a much tighter picture.
Bezzecchi was competitive through different phases of both Friday sessions rather than relying solely on a late qualifying-style lap. Racing close to home also gives the Italian another opportunity to turn Aprilia’s recent progress into a victory as the championship enters a critical phase.
The title situation makes the emerging duel even more important. Jorge Martín arrived at Misano with 256 points, 19 ahead of Márquez and 24 clear of Bezzecchi. That means both Friday’s fastest riders have an opportunity to make significant gains on the championship leader this weekend.
The margins are now small enough that Márquez can leave Misano leading the MotoGP World Championship, while Bezzecchi remains firmly in the three-way title fight.
Álex Márquez added another Ducati near the front by taking third in Practice, only 0.185s behind Bezzecchi, reinforcing the strength of the Desmosedici package at Misano.
The more intriguing question after Friday, however, is whether Bezzecchi can sustain his challenge when the weekend moves from outright pace to qualifying and race management.
The first answer comes on Saturday. MotoGP FP2 begins at 10:10 local time, followed by Q1 at 10:50 and Q2 at 11:15. The 13-lap Sprint starts at 15:00.
FAQ
Who was fastest in MotoGP Practice at Misano?
Marco Bezzecchi led Friday Practice with a 1:30.144 for Aprilia, beating Ducati’s Marc Márquez by 0.103s. Álex Márquez finished third, 0.185s off the fastest time.
Can Marc Márquez take the MotoGP championship lead at Misano?
Yes. Márquez began the San Marino GP weekend 19 points behind championship leader Jorge Martín. With 37 points available across the Sprint and Grand Prix, the Ducati rider can mathematically leave Misano at the top of the standings.
When are MotoGP qualifying and the Sprint at Misano?
Qualifying takes place on Saturday, September 12, with Q1 beginning at 10:50 and Q2 at 11:15 local time. The San Marino GP Sprint starts at 15:00.
