Alex Marquez Sets Motegi Lap Record to Top MotoGP Practice Ahead of Acosta and Marc Marquez

Motegi, Japan, October 2, 2026: Alex Marquez produced a stunning late lap to top Friday’s MotoGP practice session at the Mobility Resort Motegi, setting a new all-time lap record in the process. The BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP rider clocked a 1:42.811 on his final flying lap to finish ahead of Austrian Grand Prix winner Pedro Acosta and reigning World Champion Marc Marquez.

The 2025 MotoGP championship runner-up left it until the closing stages to take the top spot, denying Acosta another strong Friday performance. Acosta finished just 0.076 seconds behind Marquez, while Marc Marquez was a further 0.024s adrift, leaving the top three separated by exactly one tenth of a second.

Marco Bezzecchi was fourth for Aprilia Racing, while Enea Bastianini completed the top five after a strong session.

Red Flag Disrupts Early Running

Friday’s session was interrupted shortly after it began when home favourite Ai Ogura suffered a technical failure on his Trackhouse Aprilia at the exit of pit lane. The incident resulted in a red flag and a short clean-up operation.

When running resumed, Bezzecchi established himself at the front, with Acosta second and Marc Marquez third after the opening 25 minutes.

The order remained highly competitive as the session progressed, with riders repeatedly exchanging positions as the freshly resurfaced Motegi circuit continued to improve.

Marc Marquez briefly moved to the top before Acosta responded with a faster lap. Jorge Martin also made his way into second before Fermin Aldeguer took over at the front with just over 17 minutes remaining.

Late Drama as Riders Chase Q2 Places

The battle for the top 10 intensified during the final 10 minutes. Johann Zarco moved into fifth, while his Honda LCR team-mate Diogo Moreira climbed as high as fourth. Bastianini was seventh and Fabio Quartararo reached 10th.

Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, remained outside the top positions for much of the session. The Ducati Lenovo rider eventually moved into the top 10, but the improving track surface meant that riders needed to continue pushing until the chequered flag.

The final minutes brought further drama. Zarco crashed at the final corner with less than four minutes remaining, although the Honda rider was reported to be OK. Moreira then crashed at Turn 5, but also escaped injury.

Those incidents added pressure to riders still outside the top 10, including Ogura, Bagnaia, Aldeguer and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Di Giannantonio responded with a late improvement to finish sixth.

Alex Marquez Leaves It Late

With the track at its fastest, Alex Marquez delivered the decisive lap. His 1:42.811 established a new all-time Motegi lap record and moved him to the top of the standings.

Acosta finished second, followed by Marc Marquez, with Bezzecchi fourth and Bastianini fifth. Di Giannantonio was sixth ahead of Quartararo, while championship leader Jorge Martin secured eighth.

Moreira and Zarco completed the top 10 despite their late crashes.

The result means several major names will have to fight through Q1 on Saturday. Ogura could only manage 15th on his home circuit, while Aldeguer was 11th, Bagnaia 16th and Luca Marini 17th.

For Ogura in particular, it was a disappointing end to a difficult Friday in front of his home fans.

The session also produced a memorable moment involving Yamaha riders Jack Miller and Alex Rins. Rins ran out of fuel, while Miller once again came to his rescue, giving his fellow Yamaha rider a lift back. Miller then added to the spectacle by performing a stoppie into Turn 11.

With the top three separated by just 0.100s and several established contenders facing Q1, Saturday’s qualifying battle at Motegi promises to be closely contested.

MotoGP Motegi Practice – Friday Top 10

Other notable positions included Fermin Aldeguer in 11th, Francesco Bagnaia in 16th, Ai Ogura in 15th and Luca Marini in 17th.