Marc leads Marquez 1-2 in eventful Aus GP opener

Marc Marquez dominated a dramatic opening MotoGP practice session of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix with Q2 berths on the line.

Marc Marquez was the only rider to be fast throughout the tricky hour-long practice, ultimately being the pace setter with a 1:27.770.

A late push lap saw brother and Gresini teammate Alex make it a Marquez 1-2 ahead of Marco Bezzecchi and championship contenders Jorge Martin and Jorge Martin with only two tenths covering the top five.

With riders getting used to a new surface and drying conditions, many went over the limit.

Despite leading at midway and showing promising pace, a crash at Siberia proved costly for Jack Miller as he slipped to 12th.

Other big name riders to be denied a direct path into Q2 were Fabio Quartararo, Pedro Acosta, last year’s winner Johann Zarco and Enea Bastianini.

The wait to see MotoGP bikes take on Phillip Island was a little longer than expected due to the opening practice getting washed out.

However, it was worth it as the riders were pushing the limits as soon as the afternoon session commenced to come to grips with both conditions and the new track surface.

There was high drama even before lap times were recorded with Miller Corner a hot spot.

During the out lap Martin fell all on his own approaching Miller Corner and was lucky to avoid Fabio Quarataro’s rear wheel. The incident kept the PRAMAC Ducati star in the pits for the first 13 minutes. 

A few minutes later the Yamaha rider again found himself in trouble at the heavy braking right hander going off.

He was joined by both the KTM teammates with Miller having a small fall at the corner named after him once he found the wet grass.

One rider having no early issues was Marc Marquez.

The #93 was rapid, showing ominous pace in the early minutes, posting the fastest first flyer with a 1:32.232.

But he immediately went 1.350s faster and a further nine tenths on the next lap, while Vinales was the only rider within half a second.

It took nine minutes for Zarco and Bezzecchi to be the first to join the Gresini star in the nine-minute window.

After 10 minutes Vinales was the first to topple Marquez with a 1:29.383, only for the #93 to immediately respond with a 1:29.151.

It was not until the 13 minute mark Martin and Bagnaia started their first laps, but they did not even get the chance to set a time before a frustrating red flag was waved for a goose, who took in the sights at Lukey Heights.

The session resumed with 43 minutes left, but with weather on the way, there was a rush to get as much information as possible.

Martin and Bagnaia managed ninth and 16th on their opening laps, but both were on the money on their very next attempt, being rapid in the opening sector.

The PRAMAC rider went straight to second 0.206s away from the #93 before reducing that deficit to a meagre 0.009s.

Meanwhile the reigning champion lost time in the second split and took two laps to creep into the top 10.

Miller then sent roars around the island at the 26 minute mark when he shot to the top of the timesheets.

The home hero recorded a 1:28.731 with lightening first and final sectors.

Marc Marquez was back once the second half of the session began and he ended Miller’s time at the top with a 1:28.674 on the fourth and final lap of his second run.

After eight minutes of the Australian in P1, the #93 initially lowered the benchmark by half a tenth, only to go a further two tenths faster next time.

Inside the final 20 minutes Martin and then Bezzecchi also snuck ahead of the Australian, with the #71 coming 0.145s away from the leader.

Johann Zarco was flying on his LCR Honda, posting the three fastest sectors before ultimately falling 0.122s away.

Vinales was able to complete the job however, setting the new benchmark with a 1:28.160.

Marquez flew into the 1m27s area with seven minutes left, going almost four tenths faster thanks to a 1:27.770.

With five minutes left Morbedelli was 11th and critically Bagnaia was down in 13th and needed to improve.

The reigning champion rose under pressure, securing fourth and relieving the tension in the Ducati garage.

It was well timed as well given Lorenzo Savadori had a big crash at the fast Doohan Corner.

Savadori was not the only late faller with Miller sliding off his KTM at Siberia and Acosta the latest to run wide and have a light tumble in the wet grass at Turn 4.

They were costly incidents for the KTM riders as they were unable to improve and dropped out of the top 10.

Martin was lucky not to join them, having encountered a brave bunny at 200-plus km/h on the run up to Hayshed.

Big improvements from the likes of Alex Marquez (second) and Morbidelli (ninth) knocked Miller out.

Zarco hoped to do something similar, but his final lap was deleted and was forced to settle for 14th despite showing impressive speed on the LCR Honda earlier on.

In addition to the Marquez brothers, Bezzecchi, Martin, Bagnaia, Vinales, Binder, Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli and Alex Rins secured tickets to Q2.

Intensity rises with Qualifying next up at on Saturday morning.

Image by Gold and Goose

Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix Practice results

Image: Gold and Goose

2024 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix

Practice 1: Fri 10.45-11.30 (Fox Sports)

Practice: Fri 15.00-16.00 (Fox Sports)

Practice 2: Sat 10.10-10.40 (Fox Sports)

Qualifying: Sat 10.50-11.30 (Fox Sports)

Sprint: Sat 15.00 13 Laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)

Warm up: Sun 9.40-9.50 (Fox Sports)

Grand Prix: Sun 14.00 27 laps (Channel 10/Fox Sports)

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