Friday Round Up MotoGP Of Thailand

Bringing the heat: Marquez bags Buriram lap record with Martin, Bastianini & Bagnaia in the hunt

Marquez (#93) Leads Championship’s Top Four on Thrilling Day 1 in Thailand

Marquez Reigns on Record-Breaking Friday in Thailand as Championship Battle Tightens

For the second consecutive Friday, Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) has positioned himself at the top of the timesheets, setting a new all-time lap record at Buriram with an impressive 1:29.165 during practice for the PT Grand Prix of Thailand. His blistering lap put him 0.110 seconds clear of championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with Enea Bastianini just 0.052 seconds further back. With Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) rounding out the top four, all major title contenders are within 0.195 seconds of each other heading into a pivotal Saturday.

How the Session Unfolded

Marquez set the pace early and retained his position for most of the session. The top five positions fluctuated, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) making strong showings, while Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) briefly held second as he returned from his Australian crash.

Bagnaia remained in P4 with 18 minutes left, though he appeared less than satisfied with his performance. Martin, meanwhile, sat in seventh before switching to fresh soft tires.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) then took over at the top with a lap of 1:29.949 on a medium rear tire, pushing Quartararo to second place, just 0.138 seconds behind. Acosta and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP™) briefly took turns in the lead before Martin reclaimed the top spot with a 1:29.543. Bagnaia soon followed, posting a P2 lap just 0.103 seconds behind his title rival.

As the minutes ticked down, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) surged to the top, but Martin immediately snatched it back with a new record-setting lap of 1:29.275, edging out Viñales by 0.231 seconds.

Marquez Clinches the Day

With two minutes remaining, Marquez laid down his 1:29.165 lap, seizing provisional pole by a margin of 0.110 seconds. Acosta, who had previously led, slipped outside the top ten but pulled off a crucial final lap to secure P7.

As Friday wrapped, Marquez led a tight Ducati-heavy field, with Viñales fronting the non-Ducati competitors in P5, 0.3 seconds behind Marquez. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) took P6, while Acosta’s late push earned him P7. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) joined Johann Zarco to secure automatic Q2 spots, while Binder missed the cut by a mere 0.001 seconds.

What’s Next: Super Saturday Awaits

With the top 17 riders separated by less than a second, the upcoming Q1 session promises a fierce fight for grid positions on what could be the most crucial Saturday of the season. The Buriram Circuit will come alive with the thrill of qualifying and the Tissot Sprint, as the stakes rise in the final stretch of the 2024 season.

Event Schedule:

• FP2: 10:00 (UTC+7)
• Q1: 10:50
• Q2: 11:15
• Tissot Sprint: 15:00

Get ready for Buriram’s “Super Saturday” and stay tuned for more!

Moto2 Canet cruises to Friday P1 in Thailand

Aron Canet Sets the Pace in Thailand as Championship Battle Intensifies

Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) wrapped up Day 1 of practice at the PT Grand Prix of Thailand with a comfortable two-tenths lead, positioning himself well ahead of Saturday’s crucial sessions. The Spaniard led the timesheets after a productive day on the Buriram circuit, with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) coming in closest behind him despite a dramatic incident with Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) during Free Practice. Both riders received penalties for the upcoming race on Sunday due to the incident. Meanwhile, Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing) secured third place, rounding out the top three.

Key Standings from Day 1 in Buriram:

• Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) closed out the top five, each 0.4 seconds off Canet’s benchmark time.
• Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) ended Friday in sixth, though his day wasn’t without issues—a late technical problem in Practice 1 created setbacks for the World Championship leader.
• Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) followed Ogura in seventh, while Sergio Garcia (MT Helmets – MSI) struggled, finishing in P15 and leaving himself some work for Saturday’s sessions.

As we look toward match point on Sunday, the starting grid is still far from settled. All eyes will be on Practice 2, kicking off at 09:25, with qualifying beginning at 13:45 (local time) in Thailand.

Will Canet hold his advantage? Tune in to see how the grid takes shape for race day!

Moto3 Alonso holds healthy Buriram advantage on opening day

David Alonso Sets the Benchmark in Moto3™ as Buriram Heats Up

David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), fresh off clinching the 2024 Moto3™ World Championship, is proving he’s the rider to beat in Thailand. On Day 1 of practice at Buriram, Alonso was the only rider to break into the 1:40s, posting a best lap of 1:40.703 despite an afternoon crash at Turn 12. His time put him firmly ahead of the pack, with Joel Kelso (BOE Motorsports) trailing by 0.385s and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) rounding out the top three.

Standings After Practice 1

• Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) and Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took P4 and P5, both key players in the fight for the season’s overall runner-up. However, they ended Practice 1 over half a second off Alonso’s pace.
• Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), also in contention for the silver medal, finished seventh, right behind Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who landed in sixth.

The competition will only intensify as riders prepare for the final practice session before qualifying. Can anyone close in on Alonso’s lead? Catch Practice 2 at 08:40 local time, followed by qualifying at 12:50.

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