Marc Márquez set the pace in opening practice for the Aragon Grand Prix, with the reigning MotoGP world champion finishing ahead of Raul Fernández and Marco Bezzecchi.
Márquez arrived at the anticlockwise circuit as the clear favourite after remaining unbeaten at Aragon since switching to Ducati in 2024. Fernández came closest to challenging Márquez, with a late run on a fresh medium rear tyre lifting the Trackhouse Aprilia rider into second, just 0.035 seconds behind. Bezzecchi completed the top three for the factory Aprilia team.
Márquez Sets the Early Benchmark
Álex Márquez was the first rider to establish a significant benchmark, setting a 1m48.011s on the Gresini Ducati. His older brother soon responded, moving to the top with a 1m47.763s with just over 30 minutes remaining. Márquez continued to improve as the session progressed and found another two tenths on worn medium rubber with 15 minutes left.
His 1m47.532s proved impossible for the rest of the field to match, leaving the Ducati rider at the head of the standings when the chequered flag fell. Fernández was the leading rider on fresh medium rubber as he produced his late improvement, while Bezzecchi completed the session on the same tyres he had used throughout. Álex Márquez was eventually shuffled back to fourth, with Pedro Acosta completing the top five and leading the KTM contingent.
Acosta Crashes Late
Acosta’s session ended with a late fall at Turn 12, although the KTM rider escaped the incident unharmed. Jack Miller was the leading Yamaha rider in sixth after using fresh rubber, finishing ahead of VR46 Ducati rider Franco Morbidelli.
Fabio Di Giannantonio completed the top eight despite an early crash at Turn 3, while Fermin Aldeguer marked his return from an extended injury layoff with ninth on the Gresini Ducati.
Zarco Returns to MotoGP Action
Johann Zarco made his return to MotoGP competition after missing the previous events following his heavy crash at Barcelona in May. The LCR Honda rider finished 11th with a 1m48.649s and led the Honda charge. Team-mate Diogo Moreira was 13th, with HRC’s Joan Mir 14th and Luca Marini 17th.
At the front of the championship, Jorge Martín endured a relatively quiet opening session, ending the morning 18th on his factory Aprilia. Pecco Bagnaia also struggled to find the pace, with the Ducati rider finishing 20th.
With Márquez once again setting the benchmark at a circuit where he has enjoyed remarkable success in recent seasons, the factory Ducati rider has made the strongest possible start to the Aragon weekend. Fernández and Bezzecchi remain within striking distance, setting up an intriguing fight as the Grand Prix weekend develops.