Three within a tenth: the Practice verdict
Friday at the Autódromo do Algarve ended with Álex Márquez leading the way in 1:37.974, with Francesco Bagnaia 0.030 behind and Pedro Acosta 0.088 behind: three riders within a tenth of each other, and the race looks wide open. Behind them, Marco Bezzecchi is 4th; Joan Mir and Johann Zarco (Honda) complete a top-six with four different manufacturers in the top five. These are the times that send the top ten directly to Q2.
Who’s forced into Q1?
First of those excluded from direct access: Luca Marini (11th), who also crashed in the session. Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo will also have to go through Q1 after a chasing Friday.
Day 1 Report: Strong Signals Already in FP1
The script was clear from the morning: Álex Márquez opened the weekend in the lead in FP1, with Bezzecchi and Miller close behind. This momentum was then confirmed in the decisive afternoon session.
Market/Paddock Note: Bulega Replaces Marc Márquez
In the factory Ducati garage, Nicolò Bulega replaces Marc Márquez in Portugal and Valencia: the SBK runner-up makes his premier class debut, following a test in Jerez to familiarize himself with the Desmosedici GP.
Saturday times (CET, Italy)
MotoGP Qualifying: 11:50
Tissot Sprint: 16:00 (12 laps)
Official MotoGP schedule: the premier class returns to the track at 11:10 for the pre-qualifying session, followed by Q1/Q2 and Sprint in the afternoon.
Technical Key
Portimão confirms its rollercoaster DNA: extremely tight lap times and still fluid tire selection. Honda finishes Friday with Mir 5th and Zarco 6th, an encouraging sign ahead of Q1/Q2 and the Sprint. Ducati shows alternatives: Bagnaia close to the benchmark, Bulega learning; Aprilia with Bezzecchi firmly in the leading group; KTM solid with Acosta third.