Francesco Bagnaia delivered a thrilling performance to top Friday afternoon’s practice session for the 2024 Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The atmosphere was electric as riders prepared for the final round of the championship, with the reigning world champion’s late surge in the afternoon session securing him the top spot on the timesheets with a sensational lap time of 1:38.918.
This session was not only crucial for Francesco Bagnaia as he aimed to close the gap on championship leader Jorge Martin but also set a dramatic tone for what promises to be an exhilarating final weekend of racing at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP.
The Friday practice was divided into two sessions, with the morning session showcasing Takaaki Nakagami from LCR Honda taking an early lead with a time of 1:40.501.
However, it was in the afternoon that the real action unfolded. As temperatures remained cool and with a threat of rain looming, riders took to the track eager to find their rhythm and optimize their setups ahead of qualifying.
Marco Bezzecchi from Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team quickly established himself as a strong contender, initially setting a competitive time that placed him at the top before Francesco Bagnaia’s late charge.
As the session progressed, riders began to push their limits in search of faster lap times. The final 15 minutes saw an intense flurry of activity, often referred to as “time attacks,” where competitors aim to set their best laps under pressure.
Prima Pramac’s Jorge Martin briefly seized P1 during the final moments, demonstrating his determination to maintain his championship lead over his title rival. However, it was CASTROL LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco who executed an impressive final sector to momentarily take control before Bagnaia’s stunning lap clinched him the top position.
Francesco Bagnaia’s performance was particularly noteworthy given his previous struggles earlier in the season. He had experienced a crash after the chequered flag during an earlier session, which could have affected his confidence.
However, he managed to regroup and focus on delivering a stellar performance when it mattered most. His ability to adapt and improve under pressure is a testament to his skill and experience as a champion.
Marco Bezzecchi finished in second place, just 0.080 seconds behind Bagnaia, showcasing his strong pace and indicating that he could play a pivotal role in supporting Bagnaia’s title defense throughout the weekend.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro rounded out the top three with a time of 1:39.025, only 0.107 seconds off Bagnaia’s pace while Johann Zarco took a surprise fourth to mark a solid Friday for LCR Honda.
Jorge Martin ended the day in fifth place but expressed dissatisfaction with his Ducati’s handling during his final time attack. He finished 0.296 seconds adrift from Bagnaia but remained safely within Q2 qualifying territory, which is crucial for maintaining his championship lead heading into Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
Maverick Viñales finished sixth after completing over 20 laps during the session, indicating good race pace and consistency despite being set to leave Aprilia after this weekend.
Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez from Gresini Racing claimed seventh and eighth positions respectively, showcasing their competitive spirit and ability to navigate through challenging conditions.
Pedro Acosta from Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 finished ninth, marking him as one of the standout rookies this season while Enea Bastianini from Ducati Lenovo rounded out the top ten. Bastianini’s performance is particularly significant as he approaches what could be his final races with Ducati.
As practice for Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP concluded, it became evident that several riders would need to regroup and refine their strategies ahead of Saturday’s sessions. Notably absent from the top ten were Jack Miller and Brad Binder from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, along with Morbidelli who struggled throughout the session after his crash.
The anticipation for Saturday’s Qualifying sessions is palpable among fans and teams alike as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to this season’s championship battles at Barcelona.
With Francesco Bagnaia leading practice and Jorge Martin close behind in fifth place, all eyes will be on how these two title contenders perform under pressure in upcoming sessions.
