Alex Márquez proved once again to be the undisputed star of the weekend, finishing pre-qualifying with the fastest time overall and setting a new track record. It was a performance that took everyone by surprise, starting with the Gresini team rider himself, who seemed surprisingly relaxed when commenting on the result.
“It all came naturally to me, without having to push too hard,” explained Alex Márquez at the end of the session, emphasising how the bike had responded perfectly right from the very first laps. This smooth feeling allowed him to push to the limit without taking excessive risks, striking the right balance between speed and control.
Despite setting the fastest time, the Spanish driver did not let himself get carried away, keeping his feet on the ground and already looking ahead to the rest of the weekend. “I still need to improve,” he admitted with clarity, aware that working on his race pace will be crucial to defending the position he has secured. The competition, after all, is fierce and promises to be tough.
Among the fastest riders in the session were Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez – Alex’s older brother – both of whom set some truly impressive lap times. Marc’s presence amongst the fastest riders adds further spice to a rivalry which, from both a media and technical perspective, promises to be electric throughout the weekend. Although the two Marquez brothers are bound by family ties, on the track they remain rivals in every sense, ready to battle it out for every hundredth of a second.
One aspect that Alex Márquez wanted to highlight concerns tyre strategy, a factor that looks set to be decisive for Sunday’s race. “I need to work out which tyre to use,” said the Gresini rider, pointing out that the choice of tyre compound could make the difference between a top-flight weekend and a tricky race. Tyre management, especially on a track that really puts grip to the test, is in fact one of the key issues ahead of the final qualifying session.
The track record set in pre-qualifying is, however, a significant sign for Alex Márquez, who seems to have found a special connection with the bike at this stage of the season. His ability to ride naturally, combined with a shrewd reading of the race, could prove to be a winning combination if he manages to maintain this form in the crucial sessions as well.
It now remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the official qualifying session, where the pressure will mount and the margin for error will be drastically reduced. With Acosta and Marc Marquez ready to give him a run for his money, Alex will need to build on the good form he has shown so far, whilst also trying to solve the puzzle of which tyres to choose for Sunday’s race. It promises to be an intense weekend, with the Gresini rider determined to capitalise on the positive momentum from these early sessions to aim high.
Written by Fabio Averna
Article produced by the AiSportNews newsroom with the support of artificial intelligence tools.