In a thrilling start to the 2024 Japanese MotoGP at the Motegi circuit, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia led the first Free Practice session, closely followed by title rival Jorge Martin.
The session unfolded under challenging conditions, with intermittent rain affecting the track’s grip and forcing riders to adapt their strategies on the fly.
As the 45-minute session commenced, light rain had already begun to fall, creating a damp track that tested the riders’ skills and their machines’ capabilities.
Just 15 minutes into the session, rain flags were waved, prompting many riders to retreat to the pits as they sought to recalibrate their setups for the slippery conditions.
During this initial phase, Francesco Bagnaia managed to clock a time of 1:45.209s, putting him at the top of the leaderboard ahead of Martin, who was just 0.109 seconds behind. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider’s performance was particularly impressive given the circumstances.
Bagnaia’s ability to maintain composure and speed in tricky weather conditions demonstrated not only his skill but also the strength of the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, which has been noted for its superior braking and acceleration capabilities on tracks like Motegi.
The factory Ducati’s design allows it to excel in hard braking zones—a critical advantage on this particular circuit.
As the session progressed, riders began to return to the track for a final push in the last ten minutes. However, another brief shower hit just as they were trying to set their best times, further complicating matters.
Despite these challenges, Bagnaia remained unflappable, securing his position at the top as he completed seven laps during the session.
Jorge Martin, riding for Pramac Ducati, displayed remarkable consistency and speed throughout the practice. His time of 1:45.318s placed him firmly in second position, indicating that he was well-prepared for this weekend’s challenges despite being slightly off Bagnaia’s pace.
Martin’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he enters this race with a 21-point lead in the championship standings, making every session crucial for maintaining his edge over Bagnaia.
The rest of the field also had their moments during this unpredictable practice session. Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Ducati secured third place with a time of 1:45.589s, showcasing his growing confidence and ability to compete at a high level amidst seasoned competitors.
Marc Marquez from Gresini Ducati finished fourth with a time of 1:45.781s, while Jack Miller from Red Bull KTM rounded out the top five with a time of 1:45.782s.
The performance of other notable riders included Marco Bezzecchi in sixth place and Joan Mir in seventh, both demonstrating that they could contend with the front-runners if conditions improve or if they can find an extra edge during qualifying sessions later in the weekend.
Maverick Viñales from Aprilia Racing and Enea Bastianini from Ducati also showed promise by finishing in ninth and tenth places respectively.
However, not all riders had a smooth outing during Free Practice 1. Yamaha’s struggles continued as Fabio Quartararo could only manage a disappointing 17th place finish after failing to adapt quickly enough to the changing conditions.
His teammate Aleix Espargaro also faced difficulties and finished further down the order, reflecting ongoing challenges for Yamaha in terms of performance consistency compared to their rivals.
One significant absence from this practice session was Miguel Oliveira, who is recovering from a wrist injury sustained at Mandalika. He was replaced by Lorenzo Savadori, an Aprilia test rider who stepped in as a wild card entry for Trackhouse Racing.
The practice results set an intriguing stage for what promises to be an exciting race weekend at Motegi. With Bagnaia showing strong form and Martin determined to defend his title lead, fans can expect fierce competition as riders push their limits on one of MotoGP’s most challenging circuits.
As we look ahead to qualifying sessions later today and ultimately Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on how these dynamics play out on track.
Will Francesco Bagnaia continue his strong form and close the gap in points? Or will Jorge Martin fend off his rival and extend his championship lead? The answers will unfold over this thrilling weekend at Motegi.
