Spaniard Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) dominated the first day of testing for the United States Grand Prix, the third round of 21 of the MotoGP season, Friday at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin (Texas). The vice-world champion shattered the circuit record set last season by double Italian world champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) by almost half a second. The Madrilenian, winner of the last Grand Prix at Portimao three weeks ago and leader of the championship, was 76 thousandths ahead of his compatriot Maverick Vinales (Aprilia), who was the fastest during free practice at midday .
Marc Marquez, seven-time winner on the Circuit of the Americas in the premier category, took third place and confirmed that he was very comfortable on the Texan track. Arriving this season at Gresini, one of Ducati's satellite teams, after 11 seasons in the premier category with Honda, the six-time MotoGP world champion is looking for redemption in Austin after his crash at the end of the race at Portimao.
Zarco and Quartararo not in good shape
Bagnaia, who also fell in the Algarve after contact with...Marquez, scared himself on Friday by entering the Top 10 one minute from the end of the session with the fourth fastest time. Three weeks with his first podium in MotoGP during his second race, the Spanish prodigy Pedro Acosta (GasGas-Tech3) continued his impressive apprenticeship by taking fifth place, ahead of the experienced Alex Espargaro (ESP / Aprilia) and Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Ducati-Pramac).
The Top 10, directly qualified for the second part of qualifying (Q2) scheduled for Saturday morning, is completed by three Italians: Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati), Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46). The big surprise of the day came from the KTMs of South African Brad Binder and Australian Jack Miller, only 14th and 16th and who will have to go through Q1 to then hope to fight for pole position in Q2.
The two Frenchmen Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Honda-LCR) are in the same situation after achieving only the 17th and 19th times on Friday afternoon.