Pedro Acosta was the fastest rider in the opening free practice for the Austrian Grand Prix, the 15th round of MotoGP’s 2026 season. In the session held on Friday morning (18) at the Red Bull Ring, the KTM rider posted his best lap at 1:29.851, earning the top spot on the timesheets at the outset of the weekend.
The runner-up was Pol Espargaró, riding a Tech3 KTM who ended up 0.233 seconds behind Acosta. Jorge Martín, one of the championship leaders and a rider for Aprilia, registered the third-best time, and he was followed by the other championship frontrunner, Marc Márquez, who finished fourth aboard a Ducati. Johann Zarco, on a Honda from LCR, completed the top five.
Marco Bezzecchi, aboard an Aprilia, finished the session sixth fastest, ahead of Raúl Fernández, seventh with the Trackhouse Aprilia. Álex Márquez, riding a Gresini Ducati, was eighth, ahead of Diogo Moreira, the Brazilian with LCR Honda. Luca Marini, on a factory Honda, completed the top ten.
The session also saw the return of Ai Ogura to the grid. The Japanese rider, currently sixth in the standings, took part in the opening free practice of the weekend and posted the 19th fastest time with a Trackhouse Aprilia. Another Japanese rider on the grid this week, Takaaki Nakagami, who is substituting for Joan Mir on the Honda, finished 20th.
From 10:00, the second free practice session of the weekend will take place at the Red Bull Ring. On Saturday there will be the third practice at 5:10, qualifying at 5:50, and the Sprint at 10:00. The Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, starting at 9:00.
