A duel at the top, a close contest for third and another stunning statement from Acosta? Friday at COTA delivers
Friday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas saw a fierce battle at the forefront, with the fight for direct passage to Q2 reaching its climax as lap records tumbled in MotoGP™ Practice. Leading the charge was championship frontrunner Jorge Martin of Prima Pramac Racing, who blazed a trail with a blistering 2:01.397, obliterating the previous lap record by 0.495 seconds and clinching top spot by day’s end. However, his triumph was only by a hair’s breadth over Maverick Viñales of Aprilia Racing, who made a strong initial showing, topping FP1 before being edged out by… Martin.
Further down the order, another gripping duel unfolded, with Marc Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP™ surging to third on his final lap, a mere 0.002 seconds ahead of reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo Team.
With just 10 minutes remaining, several key contenders seemed secure, but Bagnaia found himself outside the top 10. Yet, as the #1 has demonstrated on numerous occasions, he rose to the occasion, setting a time of 2:01.808 with less than two minutes remaining, ultimately securing fourth place and coming tantalisingly close to Marquez.
Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 capped off an impressive Friday with a late push into the top five, setting a quick lap mere moments after Bagnaia to climb the standings. Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia Racing also exhibited strong pace late in the day, finishing Practice in sixth after a challenging start to the session.
Franco Morbidelli of Prima Pramac Racing secured direct entry to Q2 for the first time since the British Grand Prix in 2023, clocking an impressive 2:02.103 despite being behind on bike time due to preseason testing setbacks. He led compatriot Enea Bastianini of Ducati Lenovo Team, who had spent much of the session in the top five. Completing the top 10 at day’s end were the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team pair of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi, displaying consistent pace throughout the day.
A fiercely contested field, including Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller, now face the challenge of battling for the top two spots in Q1 on Saturday, after finishing Practice in 14th and 16th respectively, behind Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Racing and split by Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing MotoGP™. This is just a glimpse of the competition they’ll need to surpass, which also includes two-time COTA victor Alex Rins of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ and teammate Fabio Quartararo.
The stage is set for an electrifying Saturday, with qualifying poised to determine the grid for the Tissot Sprint. Who will emerge victorious? Stay tuned to find out!
FP2: 10:10 (UTC -5)
Q1: 10:50
Q2: 11:15
Tissot Sprint: 15:00
Moto2 Aldeguer smashes Austin lap record on Friday
After a season of ups and downs, Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp), the pre-season favourite, made a bold statement on Friday at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as he continues his quest for that elusive first win or podium of the year. Clocking an astonishing 2:08.359, he shattered the lap record by 0.392 seconds. The Spaniard concluded a remarkable session ahead of Sergio Garcia of MT – Helmets MSI, who trailed by 0.282 seconds but also dipped under the previous lap record. Dennis Foggia delivered an impressive performance for the Italtrans Racing Team, securing third place after spending much of the session among the top five.
In fourth position was Marcos Ramirez, emerging as the top performer from the OnlyFans American Racing Team, with Jake Dixon of CFMOTO Asterius Aspar Team rounding out the top five as he returned to action in Austin. Barry Baltus of RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP, already a podium finisher this year, claimed sixth place in Practice 1, ahead of Celestino Vietti of Red Bull KTM Ajo, while Alonso Lopez, riding for the second Beta Tools SpeedUp team, settled for eighth.
As the chequered flag waved, Ai Ogura of MT – Helmets MSI secured ninth place, followed by Aron Canet of Fanatic Racing, the Championship leader, who also endured a crash in the final three minutes. Jeremy Alcoba of Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team trailed by 0.773 seconds from the top spot, ahead of Filip Salač of Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and Bo Bendsneyder of Pertamina Mandalika GAS UP Team. Joe Roberts of OnlyFans American Racing Team was the last rider provisionally heading to Q2 on Saturday after a misstep on his fastest lap.
The Moto2™ contenders will have one more chance to vie for a spot in the top 14 at 9:25 local time (UTC -5) before qualifying commences at 13:45 (local time). Be sure to tune in for more action!
Moto3 Alonso doubles up on Day 1 in Austin
David Alonso of CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team surged to the top of the standings at the close of Friday’s action, showcasing a strong performance by completing 14 laps in Practice 1 and maintaining his momentum from Free Practice, where he had also set the pace earlier in the day. The Colombian rider clocked an impressive 2:15.173 in the afternoon session, narrowly outpacing Jose Antonio Rueda of Red Bull KTM Ajo, with Angel Piqueras of Leopard Racing securing third place after being cleared to ride.
The session was marked by drama, particularly for the MT Helmets – MSI team, as Ryusei Yamanaka lost control at turn 11, inadvertently collecting teammate Ivan Ortola within the first 20 minutes of the session. Fortunately, both riders emerged unharmed. Tatchakorn Buasri of Honda Team Asia and Tatsuki Suzuki of Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP also experienced crashes later in the afternoon, with Buasri requiring a medical assessment before being allowed to return to the track.
In the battle for supremacy, Daniel Holgado of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 remained off the radar until late in the session. Despite initially languishing outside the top 14, the Championship leader delivered a sensational lap to clinch fourth place by the session’s end. Ortola also made a remarkable recovery after a challenging Friday, finishing Practice 1 in fifth position, ahead of BOE Motorsports’ Joel Kelso, who leaped from 17th to sixth in the final three minutes. Jacob Roulstone of Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 claimed the top rookie spot in seventh place, followed by David Muñoz of BOE Motorsports in eighth, after both riders had a minor incident at the start of the session.
Taiyo Furusato concluded a successful Friday in ninth position as he seeks to replicate his form from Qatar, with Stefano Nepa of LEVELUP – MTA rounding out the top 10. Matteo Bertelle of Rivacold Snipers Team, Yamanaka, Scott Ogden of MLav Racing, and David Almansa of Rivacold Snipers Team occupy the provisional Q2 spots.
Moto3™ action will resume on Saturday morning at 8:40 local time (UTC -5), with riders vying for the top 14 positions in Practice 2 before qualifying gets underway at 12:50 local time.
Official MotoGP Press Release
