Binder Leads 2025 Catalan MotoGP Friday Practice

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM topped the Friday practice for the 2025 Catalan MotoGP in Barcelona, followed closely by teammate Pedro Acosta. As part of round 15 of 22, Binder set the pace with a lap time of 1:38.141, edging out Acosta by 0.104 seconds.

Standout Performances in Practice

The Friday practice session showcased intense competition, with KTM dominating the timesheets. Binder and Acosta consistently led, with Acosta focusing on soft rear tires to fine-tune speed. Meanwhile, Alex Marquez of BK8 Gresini Ducati secured third (+0.139s), followed by his brother, Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo in fourth (+0.224s). Both brothers extensively tested medium compound tires to gather crucial data.

Elsewhere, Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing delivered a strong fifth place (+0.262s), while Enea Bastianini of Red Bull KTM Tech3 finished sixth despite a late crash. Honda riders Johann Zarco and Luca Marini also performed well, taking eighth and ninth, respectively.

Challenges for Top Contenders

Reigning world champion Jorge Martin struggled, finishing 18th (+0.841s). Similarly, Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati Lenovo, a three-time winner at Barcelona, faced significant setbacks, ending in 21st (+1.029s) after yellow flags from Bastianini’s crash disrupted his final run. Bagnaia now faces a tough Qualifying 1.

Fabio Quartararo, the top rider for Monster Yamaha, finished 11th, while rookie Ai Ogura of Trackhouse Aprilia impressed with a top-10 finish.

Key Notes and Outlook

The practice session highlighted fierce competition ahead of qualifying and the race. KTM’s dominance, led by Binder and Acosta, signals their strong form in Barcelona. However, top riders like Bagnaia and Martin must regroup to challenge for pole position. With the previous best lap record held by Aleix Espargaro (1:38.190 in 2024), the fight for the top spot promises to be intense.