
Locking horns: Binder puts KTM on top as Marquez, Martin and more sit close

Binder Tops Day 1 at Motegi in a Thrilling Friday Practice
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) set the pace on Day 1 at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, clocking an impressive 1:43.436 during Friday’s Practice session at the dry Mobility Resort Motegi. Binder edged out Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) by just 0.033 seconds, while World Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) secured P3, 0.099 seconds behind Binder. Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) finished P7 in an extremely close field, where the top seven riders were separated by just 0.318 seconds.
A Rapid Start to Practice
Unlike the usual slow build-up in practice sessions, the threat of rain saw riders immediately opting for soft rear Michelin tires. Bagnaia and Martin wasted no time, quickly jumping to P1 and P2. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio followed closely in P3 and P4 early on.
Rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) made an impressive start to his Motegi debut, joining the top three before the session settled down after a frantic first 15 minutes.
Mid-Session Action and Bastianini’s Crash
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) climbed to P3 after a series of strong laps, but the action briefly paused when Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) crashed at Turn 13 with just over 30 minutes remaining. Fortunately, Bastianini walked away unscathed despite his GP24 taking a heavy hit in the gravel.
The Final Push: Binder Takes Control
With 15 minutes remaining, the intensity ramped up. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™) jumped to P5, while Viñales continued to impress, briefly holding P2 before Binder surged to the top with a 1:43.879 lap. Acosta then made it a KTM 1-2 by claiming P2, only for Bagnaia and Martin to attempt time attacks that initially couldn’t surpass them.
Bagnaia set the exact same time as Acosta with a 1:43.754, but Martin went faster, posting a 1:43.568 to take the lead with just five minutes remaining. Bastianini, recovering from his earlier crash, clawed his way back to P2, just 0.037 seconds behind Martin.
Binder Strikes Again
However, Binder wasn’t done yet. The South African retook P1 with a blistering lap, 0.132 seconds clear of Martin. Marc Marquez made a late surge to grab P2, 0.033 seconds off Binder’s time. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Di Giannantonio also improved late, pushing local hero Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) out of the top 10 in the final moments.
Tight at the Top
Acosta finished P4, just under 0.150 seconds from Binder, while Bastianini recovered to round out the top five. Viñales took P6, with Bagnaia slipping to P7. Less than four tenths separated the top seven riders, making it one of the most competitive Friday sessions of the season.
Alex Marquez, Di Giannantonio, and Bezzecchi completed the top 10, while Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) narrowly missed out on the automatic Q2 spots, finishing P11 after a late crash at Turn 3. Nakagami also missed the cut, falling just 0.049 seconds short of Q2.
Exciting Weekend Ahead
With KTM, Ducati, and Aprilia all in the mix, the stage is set for a thrilling qualifying session and Tissot Sprint on Saturday. Stay tuned for all the action at motogp.com!
Saturday Schedule (UTC +9):
FP2: 10:10
Q1: 10:50
Q2: 11:15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00




Moto 2 Salač sets Motegi lap record for Day 1 honours, Ogura P4 on Friday

Filip Salač Sets the Pace in Moto2™ at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan
Filip Salač (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) dominated a mixed-conditions Friday at Motegi, setting the fastest times in both Free Practice and Practice 1. The Czech rider’s impressive lap time of 1:49.716, a new lap record, was 0.046 seconds quicker than Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), placing him as the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s action. Canet, fresh off a win at the Indonesian GP, enjoyed a strong Friday, while Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) rounded out the top three, less than a tenth behind Salač.
Home Hero Ogura Shines
World Championship leader Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) put on a solid performance in front of his home crowd, finishing P4. Izan Guevara (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) followed closely in P5, 0.356 seconds off the lead, while rookie Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) impressed with his P6 finish, showing promising pace in the afternoon.
Title Contenders Fight for Top Spots
Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team), Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing), and Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) all finished within the top 10 as they continue their fight for an outside shot at the championship. Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) had a difficult day, finishing outside the top 14 in P17.
What’s Next?
With Practice 2 coming up on Saturday at 09:25 (UTC +9) and qualifying starting at 13:45, the battle for the top 14 positions is set to heat up. Will Salač continue his dominant form, or will another contender rise to the challenge?
Catch all the action and updates live from Motegi!
Moto3 Ortola on song to beat Piqueras and Alonso to Friday P1

Ivan Ortola Leads the Pack After Day 1 at Moto3™ in Japan
Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) topped the timesheets on a challenging opening day at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, finishing as the fastest rider in Moto3™. Ortola’s pace saw him hold off Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing) and title contender David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who finished P2 and P3, respectively, with just a tenth and a half separating the top three.
Home Heroes Shine
Two Japanese riders delivered strong performances in front of their home crowd. Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI) secured P4, while Tatsuki Suzuki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) finished P5, setting them up nicely for Saturday’s action.
Title Contenders Face an Uphill Battle
Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) — the only two riders who can deny Alonso the 2024 Moto3™ title this weekend — had a tougher start to their campaigns. Veijer finished P9, while Holgado managed P13, meaning both have work to do in Saturday’s crucial sessions.
What’s Next?
A pivotal Saturday awaits in the 2024 Moto3™ title race. Will Alonso extend his lead, or can Veijer and Holgado fight back? Tune in for Practice 2 at 8:40 (UTC+8), followed by qualifying at 12:50, to catch all the action from Japan!
Official MotoGP Press Release