Aprilia Locks Out Top Three as Fernandez Breaks Mandalika Lap Record
Raul Fernandez set a new Mandalika lap record and led an Aprilia top-three sweep in Friday practice. Jack Miller narrowly missed advancing to Q2, while Senna Agius impressed in Moto2. Joel Kelso's weekend became more difficult after an afternoon crash.
At Mandalika, Friday practice ended with Aprilia occupying the top three places, led by Raul Fernandez, who set a new lap record. Jack Miller came close but did not move into Q2. In Moto2, Senna Agius drew attention with an impressive performance, while Joel Kelso’s afternoon crash made his weekend harder. The session shapes the early narrative of the MotoGP weekend and highlights Aprilia’s pace alongside the support-class storylines.
Aprilia’s Friday strength could raise fan interest in the Mandalika round, potentially benefiting local businesses that rely on race-weekend visitors. Riders and teams may gain momentum or pressure from such results, while Miller’s near miss and Kelso’s crash could affect supporter engagement. Agius’s Moto2 showing may encourage younger fans and aspiring racers. These effects are speculative and depend on how the weekend unfolds.