Alex Márquez Dominates Friday Practice at Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP 2026, Sets Blistering Pace in Jerez

Jerez, Spain, April 24, 2026: The 2026 edition of the Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP kicked off with high drama and electrifying pace as Alex Márquez stormed to the top of the timesheets on Friday at Jerez. The BK8 Gresini Racing rider delivered a stunning lap of 1:35.704, finishing a commanding 0.333 seconds ahead of the field and firmly establishing himself as the rider to beat heading into qualifying.

Alex Márquez Leads as Di Giannantonio, Bezzecchi Follow

Italy’s Fabio Di Giannantonio secured second place for the VR46 Racing Team, while championship leader Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing completed the top three. Márquez’s late-session charge, including back-to-back fastest laps, left rivals struggling to match his searing pace—coming within a tenth of the all-time lap record at Jerez.

Early Drama: Bagnaia and Martin Crash Out

The session got off to a chaotic start when two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia crashed at Turn 1 during his opening flying lap while following Márquez. Later, Jorge Martín also went down at the notorious Turn 13—famously known as the Jorge Lorenzo Corner—adding further tension to an already dramatic practice session.

Mid-Session Shake-Up and Late Surge

As the session progressed, fresh tyres saw multiple riders surge up the standings. Johann Zarco, Joan Mir, and Luca Marini briefly broke into the top six, while reigning world champion Marc Márquez hovered around the top five before dropping down the order.

Rising stars like Ai Ogura and Fermín Aldeguer also made notable gains, showcasing the depth of competition in the 2026 MotoGP grid.

Pedro Acosta Faces First Q1 Challenge of Season

One of the biggest surprises of the day came from Pedro Acosta, who endured a difficult session and finished outside the top 10. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, along with teammate Brad Binder, will now have to battle through Q1 for the first time this season.

Final Standings and Qualifying Outlook

By the end of Friday’s action, Alex Márquez held a clear advantage, with Di Giannantonio and Bezzecchi rounding out the top three. Marc Márquez recovered to fourth, while several key contenders—including Bagnaia, Martín, and Raúl Fernández—remained within half a second of the leader.

The final automatic Q2 spot went to Enea Bastianini, providing a much-needed boost for KTM’s satellite squad.

With qualifying set to follow, all eyes are now on Alex Márquez as he looks to convert his dominant Friday performance into pole position at Jerez.