Marco Bezzecchi was the first rider to lead a free practice session of a MotoGP Indian GP. The round makes its absolute debut on the calendar this weekend. The session lasted for 1h10m, instead of the usual 45 minutes, allowing the riders to adapt to a new track for them.
After the first flying laps of Friday’s FP1, Raúl Fernández (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team/Aprilia) was at the top of the timing sheets. The situation changed shortly afterward – as is usual in the opening minutes – and Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac/Ducati) took the lead.
The Spaniard was overtaken twice in the following minutes, including by Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia). With about a quarter of an hour gone, Espargaró was the first to keep the lead for a longer period.
However, at the half-hour mark, Martín returned to the lead and stayed there for almost half of the session. During this period, an impressive crash occurred: Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) crashed at high speed in turn one, not only destroying his bike but also showing some pain.
Martín was passed by Maverick Viñales (Aprilia), and he quickly reacted. However, with about five minutes left, Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team/Ducati) rode a lap in 1m45.990s.
He was the only rider lapping in the 1m45s, securing the session’s top spot. Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) came close, trailing by 0.139s. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Fernández, and Viñales completed the top five.
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