Pre-qualifying without any major surprises with a flurry of crashes and more transfer rumors in Portimao.
It is the extreme summary of the MotoGP Friday held in Portugal in view of the sprint race on Saturday and the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Enea Bastianini on the official Ducati, capable of leading everyone away with an excellent 1:38.057, did battle, taking the best time and the right to directly access Q2.
Behind the Rimini native were Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM) and Marc Marquez (Ducati Gresini), who confirmed himself in the top positions after finishing the morning's free practice at the top.
The eight-time world champion was one of the riders who fell in the last time attack.
Only eighth but in the top 10 was world champion Francesco Bagnaia on the official Ducati, who moved into the top ten in the final minutes.
He gained almost half a second from teammate Bastianini, called upon for a convincing performance: his confirmation in the official Borgo Panigale garage in 2025 is in fact yet to be decided, with Martin and other riders ready to take his place.
A Ducati always in great shape that will have to watch out above all from the competition from Ktm and Aprilia who didn't seem far away.
In addition to Miller and Binder in fifth, Vinales with the RS-GP of Noale is seventh and Quartararo also enters the top ten, in ninth position, with the Yamaha.
The Frenchman seemed at ease among the ups and downs of Portimao since the morning.
The gaps, as usual, are narrow: ten riders in half a second, nothing is enough to find yourself out of the qualifying that counts.
And Quartararo's name was among the most popular in the Portuguese paddock in terms of market indiscretions: "I'm talking to enough people - said the Transalpine rider - I will soon make a decision on my future".
Looking ahead to 2025, Quartararo would have three options: stay at Yamaha or change, with Aprilia and Honda appearing to be the most viable options (Ducati and Ktm currently have no places available).
The one who seemed to be able to make his way among the big names was Pedro Acosta, who made the men in the Ktm garage dream, immediately putting himself in front, only to slip back when the experience of his opponents (and perhaps also the working method) became apply in the last fifteen minutes, when the key positions are decided.
Eleventh place perhaps disappoints him more than anyone else, but the baby phenomenon is close by.
In addition to Acosta, Di Giannantonio, Espargaró and Morbidelli will also have to pass through Q1.
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