Raul Fernandez led an Aprilia sweep on a challenging day at the Mandalika MotoGP, setting a new track record amidst multiple crashes.
The latest practice session for the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika showcased the supremacy of Aprilia, as Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez headlined a dominant performance with a 1-2-3 finish for the brand. Fernandez stood out among his competitors, achieving a record-setting lap time of 1m28.725s, which marked not only the best of the day but also established a new MotoGP track record.
Across the session, Fernandez’s time put him firmly ahead of fellow Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, who finished second and third, respectively, both failing to come within half a second of Fernandez’s blistering pace. Bezzecchi clocked in at 1m28.944s, trailing by 0.219 seconds, while Martin recorded a time of 1m29.206s, making it clear that the Aprilia machines are in formidable form at this circuit.
Despite the impressive results from the top three, the fourth Aprilia entry faced challenges. Ai Ogura struggled significantly, suffering a substantial crash at the high-speed Turn 8 during the first practice session. After backing out of his final lap in the afternoon, Ogura settled for the 13th-fastest time, leaving him to contend with Q1 on Saturday morning, which represents a missed opportunity for direct progression to Q2.
Mixed Fortunes for Rivals
As the timesheets unfolded, KTM’s Pedro Acosta emerged as the best non-Aprilia option in fourth place, finishing with a time of 1m29.394s, which placed him 0.669 seconds behind Fernandez. Following him was the accomplished Marc Marquez, who held the distinction of being the top Ducati rider, achieving a fifth-place finish with a time of 1m29.426s. Marquez's performance highlights the ongoing competition within the Ducati camp, which includes other noteworthy competitors.
Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top six with a commendable 1m29.430s. Yamaha showcased a stronger showing than typical for the team, with Fabio Quartararo managing to recover from a significant incident mid-session, where he was launched into the air after hitting an unexpected lip in the gravel trap at Turn 8. Despite this harrowing moment, Quartararo demonstrated resilience and managed to secure a spot in Q2, finishing seventh with a time of 1m29.558s.
Teammate Alex Rins benefited from drafting to climb into the top ten during the session but encountered a crash at the final corner, ultimately finishing just outside the top ten in 11th with a time of 1m29.876s. Jack Miller wasn’t far off either, landing in 12th, just 0.007 seconds behind Rins.
Notable Results and Incidents
This session served as a critical juncture for several riders. Notably, Pecco Bagnaia made a timely resurgence, securing the final Q2 slot after finishing in 10th with a gap of 1.061 seconds from the leader. This outcome marked a significant moment for Bagnaia, as it was his first direct progression to Q2 since the Dutch GP in June.
Meanwhile, Alex Marquez showcased grit by making his way through into Q2 despite crashing towards the end of the session. However, the Gresini Ducati team faced struggles, particularly with Fermin Aldeguer, who not only crashed multiple times—including once in the first practice session—but also had a mechanical failure that further compromised his performance. Aldeguer is under investigation for possibly impeding fellow competitor Franco Morbidelli, who finished ninth, clocking in at 1m29.693s, helping to solidify VR46's competitive edge.
Concluding Thoughts
The practice day in Mandalika has set the stage for an exhilarating qualifying session. With multiple riders navigating through crashes and challenges, the competitiveness among the top brands—especially Aprilia—indicates a thrilling race ahead. Fans will be closely watching how the riders adapt and adjust strategies following the unpredictable outcomes of the practice rounds. The question remains whether Aprilia can maintain this momentum into the race, or if competitors will rise to the occasion as they push for crucial points in the championship standings.
Results:
1 Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) 1m28.725s
2 Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) +0.219s
3 Jorge Martin (Aprilia) +0.481s
4 Pedro Acosta (KTM) +0.669s
5 Marc Marquez (Ducati) +0.701s
6 Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati) +0.705s
7 Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) +0.833s
8 Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) +0.847s
9 Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati) +0.968s
10 Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) +1.061s
11 Alex Rins (Yamaha) +1.151s
12 Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha) +1.158s
13 Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) +1.229s
14 Luca Marini (Honda) +1.312s
15 Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati) +1.426s
16 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pramac Yamaha) +1.427s
17 Brad Binder (KTM) +1.522s
18 Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) +1.589s
19 Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) +1.676s
20 Maverick Vinales (Tech3 KTM) +1.941s
21 Enea Bastianini (Tech3 KTM) +1.943s
22 Aleix Espargaro (Honda) +2.969s
