Key takeaways
- New track record: Marco Bezzecchi clocked a 1:45.455 aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, topping the Friday practice timesheet and setting a new all-time lap record at MotorLand Aragón.
- Ducati pressure mounted: Álex Márquez finished 2nd and Marc Márquez finished 3rd, after Marc briefly held the new lap record during the session’s final hot laps.
- Zarco’s strong comeback: Johann Zarco secured a direct Q2 spot in 10th place in his first track outing following a 102-day injury layoff.
Marco Bezzecchi edged out Marc Márquez and the Ducati fleet to top Friday practice at the 2026 Aragon Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider posted a record-breaking 1:45.455 lap time at MotorLand Aragón, proving Noale’s raw speed ahead of Saturday’s qualifying and Sprint.
The one-hour session decided the 10 riders advancing directly to Q2. Track conditions at Alcañiz remained warm and dry, with air temperatures at 21°C and track temperatures reaching 33°C. The session marked the returns of Fermín Aldeguer (Gresini) and Johann Zarco (LCR Honda), while Ai Ogura and Maverick Viñales missed out due to ongoing injuries, replaced by Lorenzo Savadori and Pol Espargaró respectively.
Marc Márquez established early dominance using medium tires, leading the opening stint with a 1:46.320. Zarco showed no signs of rust despite his 102-day rehabilitation, holding inside the top 10 early on and pulling off a dramatic save on his RC213V.
As the grid mounted soft rear tires in the closing minutes, lap times plummeted. Aldeguer briefly went top before Marc Márquez shattered the existing track record with a 1:45.493. However, in the dying moments of practice, Bezzecchi pushed his Aprilia RS-GP to its limit, carving another 0.038 seconds off Márquez’s mark to seal the top spot.
Diogo Moreira pushed late into the top group but ended up just outside direct Q2 qualification.
MotoGP track action resumes on Saturday, August 29 with Free Practice 2, followed immediately by Qualifying and the Sprint. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage of every session across all classes. Follow all updates on our news page.
Aragon GP – Friday Practice Top 10 (Direct Q2 Qualifiers)
| Pos | Driver | Team | Bike | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | Aprilia | 1:45.455 | — |
| 2 | Álex Márquez | BK8 Gresini Racing | Ducati | 1:45.480 | +0.025 |
| 3 | Marc Márquez | Ducati Lenovo Team | Ducati | 1:45.493 | +0.038 |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Red Bull KTM Factory | KTM | 1:45.710 | +0.255 |
| 5 | Fermín Aldeguer | BK8 Gresini Racing | Ducati | 1:45.909 | +0.454 |
| 6 | Raúl Fernández | Trackhouse Racing | Aprilia | 1:45.980 | +0.525 |
| 7 | Jorge Martín | Aprilia Racing | Aprilia | 1:46.027 | +0.572 |
| 8 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory | KTM | 1:46.085 | +0.630 |
| 9 | Franco Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | Ducati | 1:46.120 | +0.665 |
| 10 | Johann Zarco | LCR Honda | Honda | 1:46.195 | +0.740 |
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Who set the fastest time in Friday practice for the 2026 Aragon GP?
Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time with a 1:45.455, breaking the all-time lap record at MotorLand Aragón.
2. Which riders qualified directly for Q2 at the Aragon Grand Prix?
The top 10 direct Q2 qualifiers are Marco Bezzecchi, Álex Márquez, Marc Márquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Fermín Aldeguer, Raúl Fernández, Jorge Martín, Pedro Acosta, Franco Morbidelli, and Johann Zarco.
3. Did Johann Zarco qualify directly for Q2?
Yes, in his first official session back after missing 102 days due to a severe knee injury, Johann Zarco finished 10th, securing the final direct spot in Q2.
