The #93 Sets the Pace at COTA in a Mixed-Conditions Practice Session
Saturday, 29 March 2025
Starting off on a wet track and finishing on a dry surface, Friday afternoon’s MotoGP™ Practice at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas delivered non-stop excitement. After a lunchtime shower eased, the fastest times of the weekend emerged. Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team recorded an impressive 2’09.929 – the only lap in the 2’02 bracket – and managed to hold off the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli.
A Wet Start: Adapting to Changing Conditions
The session began under wet conditions as riders got a feel for the track before a drying line fully appeared. Soon enough, with the slick tyres now in play, lap times began to fall dramatically. Jack Miller from the Prima Pramac MotoGP Team led the charge by switching to slicks early, closely followed by the two factory Ducatis and Fermin Aldeguer of BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP. These riders pushed Joan Mir of Honda HRC Castrol off the top, as the 2020 World Champion initially held his own in the early moments of the hour-long session.
As the rain gradually stopped and the track dried up, it was clear that the later laps would be the decisive factor for earning a top ten spot and a direct ticket to Q2. Marc Marquez quickly took the initiative by shaving nearly a second off the fastest time, diving into the 2’04 range. Meanwhile, Raul Fernandez from the Trackhouse MotoGP Team found himself in tenth place, a position that would soon be challenged by teammates Ai Ogura, Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing, and Morbidelli.
Late Drama: Yellow Flags and Rapid Improvements
A late crash involving Johann Zarco from CASTROL Honda LCR briefly interrupted the proceedings with yellow flags, though the French rider escaped serious harm. The final 90 seconds of the session were a whirlwind of fast laps. Despite all the on-track action, nobody managed to close the significant 0.736-second gap over the impressive #93. Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli then stepped up, joining Marquez on the top podium, with Alex Marquez of BK8 Gresini Racing and teammate Aldeguer following closely. Notably, Aldeguer clinched his first direct entry into Q2.
Jack Miller’s consistent performance helped him emerge as the fastest Yamaha rider, ahead of Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Maverick Viñales from Red Bull KTM Tech 3, with Viñales marking his debut Q2 appearance for KTM. In a tight finish, Joan Mir managed to secure his spot directly in Q2, edging out Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati Lenovo Team. Bagnaia narrowly made the cut by just a tenth of a second, leaving Fabio Quartararo of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP as the first rider to be relegated to Q1.
The Q1 Battle: A Hefty Challenge Ahead
For the 2021 World Champion, Q1 is shaping up to be a fierce contest. Joining him in this heavy-duty fight will be Brad Binder from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, along with Marco Bezzecchi and Ai Ogura. With only two spots available from Q1, many big names will be facing the prospect of tough battles and potential disappointments as they vie for a place in Q2 on Saturday morning at COTA.
Make sure to tune in for Americas GP qualifying at 10:50 local time (UTC -5) and catch the third Tissot Sprint of the season at 15:00 for more thrilling action on the track.
Dixon stands in a class of his own while Gonzalez battles to avoid Q1.
Jake Dixon Steals the Spotlight as Gonzalez Struggles in Moto2 Practice at the Americas GP
Friday’s Practice Session, Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas
For Jake Dixon of ELF Marc VDS Racing Team, it was a day to remember. After clinching pole in FP1, Dixon reinforced his dominance with an equally commanding P1 finish during Practice. His brilliant performance sets him up as the rider to beat in Moto2 at the upcoming Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas. Not far behind, Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) and Alonso Lopez (Team HDR Heidrun) secured P2 and P3 respectively on Friday.
Late Session Surges and Shifting Conditions
In the final five minutes of the session, a distinct dry line began to emerge along a large portion of the 5.5km circuit, prompting a wave of late improvements. With less than two minutes remaining, Tony Arbolino surged into second place, while Oscar Gutierrez—stepping in for Sergio Garcia with QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI—made a notable jump to P7. Rookie star Daniel Holgado from CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team also shone brightly, advancing from fifth to an impressive fourth on his final lap.
In stark contrast, championship leader Manuel Gonzalez of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP had a challenging session. After a crash at Turn 12, the Spaniard struggled to find his rhythm once back on track, ultimately finishing in P26—3.984 seconds off Dixon’s blistering pace.
Riders Rounding Out the Top 14
Celestino Vietti of Team HDR Heidrun completed the top five, following Dixon, Arbolino, Lopez, and Holgado. Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team) put in a solid performance to earn P6, while Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing LINO SENOGO) and Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) secured P7 and P8 respectively. Gutierrez’s effort paid off as he claimed his first automatic Q2 spot with a P9 finish. Meanwhile, rookie Yuki Kunii of IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia ended Practice in P10. The final positions in the top 14 were rounded out by Aron Canet (Fantic Racing LINO SENOGO), Zonta van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP), Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia).
Looking Ahead to Q1 and Saturday’s Pole Battle
With Q1 looming, Gonzalez now faces an uphill battle to regain competitive form. Local favorite Joe Roberts from OnlyFans American Racing Team is also eager to challenge for a spot in the pole position fight during Saturday’s Q1. Fans are invited to tune in at 13:45 local time (UTC -5) to watch as the grid for the Moto2 Americas GP is finalized.
Bertelle rockets into P1 while rookie Quiles stuns in second.
Matteo Bertelle Dominates as Debutant Quiles Shines in Wet Moto3 Practice
Practice for the Moto3™ World Championship delivered all the action you’d expect, with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) proving once again why he’s one of the season’s standout riders. In a session marked by wet conditions, Bertelle maintained his form from the opening two Grands Prix and comfortably topped the timing sheets. Hot on his heels was newcomer Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team), whose impressive performance on debut saw him climb to an astonishing second place. Completing the podium was Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) in third.
Bertelle’s Continued Brilliance and Quiles’ Sensational Debut
For the fifth session this season, Bertelle once again clinched the top spot, setting a strong pace that paved the way for a direct ticket to Q2. Behind him, Quiles made waves by briefly moving into the lead during the closing stages of the session. The wet weather appeared to favor the daring #28, and the rookie’s performance is already generating significant buzz among fans and pundits alike. Established riders were taken aback by Quiles’ pace, marking him as one to watch as the season unfolds.
Battles for the Top Six and a Late Recovery
Great Britain’s Scott Ogden secured a solid third place, with David Almansa (Leopard Racing) and David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) finishing in fourth and fifth respectively. Meanwhile, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) managed to keep his impressive run of top-six finishes alive by settling for sixth, despite an incident at Turn 20 where he crashed and lost eight minutes. That mishap almost cost him his chance at a direct qualification, but a late flying lap salvaged his position. In a tight contest, Adrian Fernandez joined Almansa in Q2 by posting a seventh-place finish, closely followed by Rueda’s teammate Alvaro Carpe and a late-improving Riccardo Rossi.
A Miraculous Save and Rookie Breakthroughs
In what might be the save of the year, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) managed to hold onto a P10 finish even after nearly losing the front at the final corner. On another bright note, several rookies have now earned their first direct spots into Q2. Cormac Buchanan (BOE Motorsports) led this fresh crop, followed by Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse), and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), with Furusato just squeezing in to make the cut.
Riders Heading to Q1 After Crashes
Not all riders had the same fortune, though. Joel Kelso (LEVEL UP – MTA), Tatchakorn Buasri (Honda Team Asia), and Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) were all caught in crashes during the session. As a result, they will have to battle through Q1 to secure their positions for Saturday’s qualifying session.
With so many dramatic moments and impressive performances, the stage is now set for an exciting Q1 showdown on Saturday.
Official MotoGP Press Release
