Bezzecchi Sets Lap Record to Top Friday Practice at British MotoGP

Marco Bezzecchi ended the opening day of MotoGP action at Silverstone on top, setting an all-time lap record during Friday afternoon's Practice session.

The Aprilia rider showed strong pace throughout both sessions, narrowly missing out in FP1 before dominating the timed Practice that decided the 10 automatic Q2 places.

Friday morning featured several injury replacements. Iker Lecuona made his first Silverstone appearance since 2023, standing in for Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini. Pol Espargaro temporarily replaced Maverick Vinales at Tech3, while Cal Crutchlow became the first British rider to compete in a home premier class practice since 2021, deputising for Johann Zarco. Augusto Fernandez also returned as a Yamaha wildcard.

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FP1 belonged to Alex Marquez, who led from start to finish with a 1:58.692s lap, 0.173s clear of Bezzecchi. Pedro Acosta crashed at Stowe but still secured third.

In the afternoon, the battle heated up. Bezzecchi and Alex Marquez exchanged top spot early, but crashes for Francesco Bagnaia and Acosta brought out yellow flags. Undeterred, Bezzecchi smashed the lap record with a 1:56.280s lap.

Raul Fernandez surprised with second, ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio in third. Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura completed an Aprilia top-five lockout. Marc Marquez was sixth again, with Alex Marquez seventh.

Joan Mir and Jack Miller secured surprise Q2 spots, while Bagnaia's crash left him 13th. Acosta, despite two falls, held on to the final automatic Q2 place in 10th.