Spanish rider Álex Márquez set the fastest lap of the day after being the quickest in both MotoGP sessions on Friday for the Portuguese Grand Prix. The Gresini Ducati rider clocked a time of 1:37.974, beating Italian Francesco Bagnaia by 0.030 seconds – who nearly matched the vice-champion’s time at the end of the session.
Bagnaia had a rough start to the day, even falling behind his teammate Nicolo Bulega – who replaced Marc Márquez – but recovered in the second session. Pedro Acosta finished third, ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and Joan Mir – closing out the top 5 on the first Honda.
Johann Zarco was the second Honda, in seventh place. Fabio di Giannantonio finished seventh, with Fermin Aldeguer in eighth, Pol Espargaró – despite a crash – in ninth, and Ai Ogura rounding out the top 10.
The first Yamaha finished 13th, with Fabio Quartararo.
Qualifying is scheduled for 7:50 AM on Saturday. The sprint race will take place at 12:00 PM.
