Marc Marquez swept all three Aragon MotoGP practice sessions cementing his status as the dominant force heading into qualifying and the races.
The Spanish star, already a legend at his home circuit, demonstrated a blend of outright speed, relentless consistency, and tactical brilliance that left his rivals scrambling for answers throughout the pivotal practice days.
Friday morning’s FP1 set the tone for the weekend with Marc Marquez immediately establishing his authority on the timesheets.
The six-time MotoGP World Champion was the only rider to break into the 1’46s bracket, clocking a blistering 1:46.974, a time that put him nearly a full second clear of the rest of the field.
Marc’s younger brother Alex Marquez was the closest challenger, finishing 0.970 seconds behind on his BK8 Gresini Racing Ducati after improving on his final flying lap.
The Marquez 1-2 finish in opening Aragon MotoGP practice underscored the brothers’ affinity for the Motorland Aragon circuit, a venue where both have previously enjoyed significant success.
Behind the Marquez brothers Silverstone winner Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) continued his strong form slotting into third just over a second off Marc’s benchmark and a mere half-tenth behind Alex.
Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) showed impressive pace at his home track, finishing fourth to remind the paddock of his 2020 victory at Aragon. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) rounded out the top five, making it four manufacturers inside the top five.
KTM’s charge was further demonstrated by Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) who improved late in the session to secure sixth place. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) was the top Honda, finishing seventh and carrying the factory’s hopes solo as teammate Luca Marini was sidelined due to injury.
Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) continued his impressive rookie campaign in eighth while Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the top ten, with Bagnaia 1.5 seconds adrift of Marquez’s pace.
Afternoon’s practice mirrored the morning’s narrative with Marc Marquez again at the top of the timesheets.
The championship leader’s relentless pace saw him maintain a commanding position, this time finishing 0.204 seconds ahead of Alex Marquez who continued to look like the only rider capable of mounting a serious challenge to his elder sibling.
Maverick Viñales secured third place for Red Bull KTM Tech3, leading a strong showing for KTM as they managed to get three bikes directly into Q2 for the first time since last year’s Catalan Grand Prix.
Joan Mir remained as the sole representative for Honda’s factory effort finishing fourth, while Pedro Acosta rounded out the top five, further solidifying KTM’s remarkable form.
Notably, neither Yamaha nor Aprilia managed to break into the top ten in FP2, a surprising development given Yamaha’s recent run of pole positions and Aprilia’s victory at the British Grand Prix.
Marquez’s Ducati teammate Pecco Bagnaia set the early pace in the session but ultimately finished ninth, unable to match Marquez’s relentless pace at the front.
Friday’s combined results set the stage for a dramatic Saturday with the top ten riders from the opening day securing direct passage to Q2. The list included both Marquez brothers, Viñales, Mir, Acosta, Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), Fermin Aldeguer, Bagnaia, and Morbidelli.
This left several big names including Fabio Quartararo (Monster Yamaha) who had started from pole in the previous three events, and Silverstone winner Marco Bezzecchi, needing to fight their way through Q1.
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Saturday’s final Aragon MotoGP practice was a crucial final tune-up before qualifying and once again Marc Marquez delivered under pressure.
The Spaniard topped the session with a 1:46.607, narrowly edging out Pedro Acosta by just 0.141 seconds. Acosta’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he managed to split the Ducati and KTM contingents at the top of the timesheets.
Franco Morbidelli continued his resurgence on the VR46 Ducati, finishing third, only 0.165 seconds off Marquez’s pace. Maverick Viñales maintained his strong form for KTM Tech3 in fourth while Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) completed the top five, just over four-tenths behind the leader.
Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi bounced back from a challenging Friday to secure sixth in FP3 ahead of Bagnaia who continued to struggle to match the outright pace of his teammate Marquez.
Fabio Quartararo despite his recent qualifying heroics could only manage eighth followed by rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer and Alex Marquez who suffered a crash ultimately rounding out the top ten.
