Marco Bezzecchi set the fastest time in the MotoGP warm-up session for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday morning. The Aprilia Racing rider clocked 1'29.337, beating Marc Marquez by 0.157 seconds and Pedro Acosta by 0.209 seconds. The short ten-minute session was marred by two crashes involving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders Brad Binder and Acosta.
Binder was the first to fall. Exiting Turn 4, the South African was too eager on the throttle and was thrown from his KTM RC16 in a highsider. He appeared unharmed and was able to continue. The incident served as a reminder of the risks that always lurk on a tight track like the Red Bull Ring.
Meanwhile, Acosta initially set the pace with a 1'30.768 before being overtaken by Marc Marquez. However, in the closing stages, Bezzecchi emerged as the fastest. Acosta also ended the warm-up with problems: on his final fast lap, he lost the front of his KTM at Turn 9 and slid into the gravel. His earlier time of 1'29.546 was still good enough for third place.
Jorge Martin finished fourth, followed by a surprise from Diogo Moreira who completed the top five for Pro Honda LCR. Moreira's performance indicates an upturn in form for the satellite Honda team at the Austrian track, though still behind the factory riders.
This warm-up suggests that the race later will be closely contested. Bezzecchi, who has shown consistent speed throughout the weekend, appears ready to put pressure on his main rivals. Meanwhile, the incidents involving Binder and Acosta serve as a warning about the importance of consistency and avoiding mistakes in the 27-lap race.
The MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled to start at 14:00 local time. The riders will battle again at the Red Bull Ring, where tyre strategy and risk management will be key. With challenging track conditions, any mistake could be costly, as seen in the warm-up session.
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