The KTM Spaniard closes the first session on the Circuit of the Americas in command. Di Giannantonio and Martin follow. Fear for Marc, who falls violently, but gets back on track and sets a good time
In Austin, in the first free practice of the MotoGP, there is a Spaniard in front of everyone. It’s not Marc Marquez: Pedro Acosta is the author of the best lap. The KTM rider closed the session on the Circuit of the Americas with a 2’01″715 achieved in the final minutes. On the contrary, the session proved to be very complicated for the world champion, seven-time winner in Texas. Marquez crashed disastrously at the start of the session, suffering some abrasions to his forearms. Returning to ride in the final stages, the Ducati champion finished fourth with a gap of 378 thousandths. Ninth time for world leader Marco Bezzecchi, eleventh Francesco Bagnaia.
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Despite Ktm’s exploits with Acosta, Ducati and Aprilia seem to confirm themselves at the top. The Emilian brand smiles thanks to Fabio Di Giannantonio, who brings the GP26 of the VR46 team to second place, 103 thousandths away. The Venetian company responds: third Jorge Martin (+0.221). The Spaniard shows excellent race pace, using the same tires for the entire session, just like his teammate Bezzecchi. Fifth was Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia), followed by Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati), while Luca Marini, seventh with Honda, is the only rider of a Japanese brand in the top 10. Eighth was Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia), while Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati) placed tenth. Fourteenth Enea Bastianini (Tech3 Ktm).
