Bezzecchi Quickest in Opening MotoGP Practice in Indonesia
Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time in MotoGP FP1 at Mandalika, a 1:30.132 on his Aprilia. Marc Marquez was second and Jorge Martin third, with Pedro Acosta fourth. The session saw crashes for Ai Ogura and Fermin Aldeguer, both uninjured.
Marco Bezzecchi set the pace in Friday’s opening MotoGP practice at Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, lapping the 4.30-kilometer track in 1:30.132 on his Aprilia. Marc Marquez followed, 0.237 seconds back, while Jorge Martin, Bezzecchi’s teammate, took third. Pedro Acosta was fourth, and Raul Fernandez completed the top five.
The session’s top three matched the championship’s top three, with Aprilia machinery filling three of the first five places. Ai Ogura and Fermin Aldeguer both crashed in separate incidents; neither rider was injured. Aldeguer ended ninth, while Ogura was 21st.
A strong Aprilia start could heighten anticipation among Indonesian spectators and global MotoGP viewers, potentially boosting engagement with the Mandalika weekend. Local businesses and tourism linked to the event may benefit if close competition keeps attention high. For riders and teams, early pace can inform strategy and confidence, though one practice session rarely decides race outcomes.