Trackhouse MotoGP rider Raul Fernandez led an Aprilia 1-2-3 sweep with a stunning new lap record during a dramatic, crash-strewn Practice session for the Indonesian Grand Prix. The hour-long session at the Mandalika circuit was initially delayed due to a connectivity issue in the FIM stewards’ room, but the temporary hold did little to halt the dominant momentum displayed by the Noale manufacturer.
Aprilia had arrived into the race weekend widely tipped for strong performance following Marco Bezzecchi setting the pace during Friday afternoon's opening practice. Fernandez immediately established a strong early rhythm before the entire field transitioned to fresh soft rubber in the final 15 minutes of the session to conduct their critical time attack runs for direct qualification into Q2.
With ten minutes remaining on the clock, Fernandez unleashed a brilliant lap of 1m28.725s to decisively dip underneath the existing lap record. It was an elite benchmark that ultimately remained unchallenged until the chequered flag dropped, allowing him to secure the top spot while spearheading a formidable Aprilia lockout at the head of the timesheets.
Bezzecchi finished 0.219s adrift in second place, while championship leader Jorge Martin slotted into third aboard the factory Aprilia machine, 0.481s off the pace. The standout performance brings back fond memories for Fernandez, who famously secured a sprint podium at the Indonesian venue last season.
The high-stakes session was heavily disrupted by frequent crashes as riders pushed the limit of grip. Enea Bastianini suffered two separate falls, while Gresini duo Fermin Aldeguer and Alex Marquez, Yamaha pair Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, alongside LCR Honda's Diogo Moreira all endured heavy spills throughout the hour.
Further down the top ten, Marc Marquez emerged as the leading Ducati representative in fifth position, 0.701s behind the benchmark. Pedro Acosta claimed fourth on the factory KTM to split the Italian machinery, with Fabio Di Giannantonio, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Marquez, Franco Morbidelli, and Francesco Bagnaia rounding out the direct Q2 participants.
Read Also
Raul Fernandez pimpin dominasi Aprilia dan pecahkan rekor putaran di sesi Practice MotoGP Indonesia Mandalika, sementara para kandidat juara lolos ke Q2.
Aprilia kuasai Practice MotoGP Indonesia di Mandalika lewat Raul Fernandez, sementara Pecco Bagnaia lolos ke Q2 dan Honda terpuruk.
Raul Fernandez pecahkan rekor lap Mandalika bawa Aprilia kuasai hari pertama latihan bebas MotoGP Indonesia 2026.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!