Last year’s unforgettable Misano rematch is already playing out all over again. Exactly 12 months on from their epic duel at the Adriatic coast, Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez went toe‑to‑toe once more — and this time it was the home hero who landed the blow. Bezzecchi stormed to the top of the timesheets on Friday afternoon, posting a blistering final lap to edge out the championship contender and seize the initiative heading into the weekend. The stage is set for another classic.
The Showdown Resumes: Bezzecchi vs Marquez — Round Two
It was a tale of two sessions. In the morning, it was Marc Marquez who stamped his authority on the circuit, going fastest in FP1. But when the afternoon sun warmed the asphalt, Marco Bezzecchi delivered a response that brought the Misano crowd to its feet. As the chequered flag approached, the Aprilia Racing rider unleashed a sensational lap of 1:30.144 — just 0.103s clear of Marquez — to snatch P1 and draw level on the scoreboard. The #72 had retaliated.
“This is Misano. We need to perform here. And I want to perform!” — Marco Bezzecchi
Behind the headline duel, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continued his consistent weekend, slotting comfortably into third place to complete an all‑star top three.
How the Session Unfolded
Halfway through the afternoon session, it was Bezzecchi leading the way, with Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Alex Marquez in hot pursuit. Further down the order, Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP) and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) were both making impressive gains, sitting inside provisional Q2 positions while the majority of the field pitted to prepare for their final runs.
With 15 minutes remaining, the times tumbled. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) surged to the top with back‑to‑back fastest laps — only briefly, however. Marc Marquez immediately struck back, posting a 1:30.247 to take charge and move within just two hundredths of a second of the outright lap record. As the clock ticked down, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) climbed to fifth, Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) sixth, and Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) eighth.
Down in P11 and facing a potential Q1 exit, championship leader Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) needed a big lap — and delivered. With just over three minutes remaining, the #89 charged up the order to seventh, breathing a huge sigh of relief. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) then moved up to fourth, much to the delight of team principal Valentino Rossi watching from the pitwall. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was the surprise package, rocketing into eighth, while Morbidelli recovered from a mid‑session dip to secure fifth.
Final Showdown: Bezzecchi Saves Best for Last
As the session entered its dying moments, Bezzecchi wasn’t prepared to let Marquez have the final say. The Italian threw everything at the circuit and produced a lap that echoed his heroics from last year — snatching P1 by barely a tenth of a second. The top ten when the dust settled:
| 1 | Marco Bezzecchi | Aprilia Racing | — |
| 2 | Marc Marquez | Ducati Lenovo Team | +0.103s |
| 3 | Alex Marquez | BK8 Gresini Racing | +0.312s |
| 4 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | +0.421s |
| 5 | Franco Morbidelli | Pertamina Enduro VR46 | +0.448s |
| 6 | Pedro Acosta | Red Bull KTM Factory | +0.567s |
| 7 | Luca Marini | Honda HRC Castrol | +0.602s |
| 8 | Johann Zarco | Castrol Honda LCR | +0.654s |
| 9 | Pol Espargaro | Red Bull KTM Tech3 | +0.721s |
| 10 | Jorge Martin | Aprilia Racing | +0.789s |
Less than eight tenths separated the top 15 riders — a measure of just how competitive this Misano field truly is.
Headlines and Heartaches
Bastianini Misses Out by 0.014s
The toughest blow of the session fell to Enea Bastianini, who missed automatic Q2 qualification by the heartbreaking margin of just 0.014s. The local hero will have to fight his way through Q1 on Saturday — a bitter pill to swallow at his home circuit. Raul Fernandez also slipped outside the top 14 and faces an uphill battle from Q1.
Bagnaia Struggles Again
It was another difficult Friday for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who could only manage 19th fastest. The Italian has now endured three DNFs in his last four races, and he finds himself facing an uncomfortable Q1 battle on home soil.
Marquez Plays It Cool
When Bezzecchi tipped him as the man to beat all weekend, Marc Marquez simply smiled and deflected the pressure straight back onto the home favourite.
“Come on, we’re in Italy! He’s the home hero, everyone is cheering for him. The pressure is on Bezzecchi, not me.”
Bezzecchi, meanwhile, remained grounded despite topping the timesheets:
“Marc is amazing, that’s nothing new. But honestly? The level across this entire grid is incredible. Everyone is fast. I’m happy with P1 today, but tomorrow is a new day.”
Moto2: Agius Smashes Lap Record to Lead the Way
In Moto2, Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) delivered a statement performance, shattering the Misano lap record with a stunning 1:34.142 to head the timesheets by 0.120s from teammate and championship leader Manuel Gonzalez. It was a perfect 1‑2 for the Intact GP squad. David Alonso (CFMOTO Aspar) completed the top three, with the leading trio covered by just 0.133s.
Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) briefly held the top spot before settling for fourth, while Daniel Holgado made it two CFMOTO riders in the top five. Championship contender Izan Guevara ended the day in eighth, with Alonso Lopez and Filip Salač close behind. Defending Misano winner Celestino Vietti and Ivan Ortola both secured automatic Q2 spots.
Moto3: Almansa Dominates as Quiles Returns
David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was the class of the Moto3 field, posting the only lap in the 1:40s to lead comfortably. Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) followed him, while championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) marked his return from injury with a late charge to third — an encouraging performance given his lay‑off. Marco Morelli took fourth ahead of rookie Rico Salmela.
There was drama late in the session for Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who highsided heavily at Turn 13 — thankfully unhurt but unable to continue. Teammate Alvaro Carpe also endured a difficult day, slipping to 18th and facing a Q1 appearance for the first time since Barcelona.
What’s Next?
FP2 gets underway on Saturday morning ahead of Qualifying at 10:50 local time — and then it’s the Tissot Sprint Race to cap off what promises to be an unforgettable day. Bezzecchi has struck first, Marquez is lurking, and the championship contenders are all jostling for position. If Friday is anything to go by, Misano 2026 is going to be absolutely spectacular.
