Marc Marquez once again showcased his exceptional talent after edging his brother Alex to top Friday’s practice for the 2024 Australian MotoGP held at Phillip Island.
In a thrilling practice session that unfolded on October 18, 2024, Marquez not only set the fastest lap but also led a remarkable performance alongside his brother, Alex Marquez, who finished in second place.
The practice session was particularly significant as it marked the only opportunity for riders to familiarize themselves with the recently resurfaced track after adverse weather prompted the cancelation of the morning’s scheduled practice.
Heavy rain overnight had left the Phillip Island car park in a quagmire, and the track conditions were initially uncertain. However, as the skies cleared and the track dried, riders were finally able to hit the asphalt in the afternoon.
As the session commenced, Gresini’s Marc Marquez quickly established himself as the frontrunner after setting an impressive benchmark time of 1:27.770 during his hot laps, showcasing his mastery of the circuit and ability to adapt to fluctuating conditions.
The lap time was not only sufficient to secure him first place but also demonstrated his ongoing quest for a fifth victory at Phillip Island, where he has previously triumphed in 2015, 2017, and 2019.
Meanwhile Alex Marquez riding for Gresini Racing alongside his brother put in a stellar performance as well. He managed to clock a time of 1:27.872, just 0.102 seconds behind Marc.
His late surge in the session saw him leapfrog several competitors right before the chequered flag fell, solidifying a remarkable 1-2 finish for the Marquez brothers. This performance is particularly noteworthy given Alex’s recent struggles with consistency throughout the season.
The top three was rounded out by Marco Bezzecchi from VR46 Racing Team, who finished third with a time of 1:27.958. Bezzecchi has been in fine form recently and is aiming for his second podium of the season.
The Ducati GP23 machines dominated the practice session, highlighting their competitive edge on this track.
Championship leader Jorge Martin from Prima Pramac Racing finished fourth despite an early mishap where he dropped his bike on his first lap but managed to recover and clock a time of 1:27.967.
Meanwhile his title rival and reigning World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia followed closely in fifth place with a time of 1:28.013. Both riders are in a tight championship battle with only a few races remaining in the season.
Maverick Viñales emerged as the best non-Ducati rider of the day, finishing sixth on his Aprilia RS-GP with a time of 1:28.160. This performance is crucial for Viñales as he aims to secure valuable points in the championship standings.
Brad Binder from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing showcased solid form by finishing seventh with a time of 1:28.265. However his teammate and local favorite Jack Miller struggled during the session after suffering two crashes that hampered his ability to set a competitive lap time.
Fabio Di Giannantonio finished eighth on another Ducati GP23, while Franco Morbidelli followed in ninth with a commendable performance on his Pramac Ducati. Yamaha’s Alex Rins edged teammate Fabio Quartararo to the final Q2 spot in 10th, with the Frenchman missing out by 0.015s.
The practice session was not without its drama; it was red-flagged multiple times due to unexpected interruptions from wildlife on track—first by Cape Barren Geese and later by a rabbit that nearly caused chaos among riders trying to navigate high-speed corners.
As riders pushed their limits on this technical circuit known for its fast corners and elevation changes, many faced challenges with tire wear and setup adjustments due to varying grip levels on the resurfaced track.
The unpredictable nature of Phillip Island added an extra layer of excitement as teams strategized for qualifying sessions ahead.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s qualifying rounds, Marc Marquez expressed confidence but acknowledged that rivals like Martin would likely make significant improvements based on their data from the session. The competition is fierce as each rider vies for pole position and crucial championship points.
The stage is set for an exhilarating 2024 Australian MotoGP weekend as fans eagerly await what promises to be an action-packed race day filled with high-speed battles and strategic maneuvers among some of the series’ finest talents.
