That is right, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has laid down the early marker at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan by topping the opening free practice session. A 1:44.073 lap puts the machine right at the front heading into the crucial afternoon Practice session, but it was anything but an easy sweep on the Japanese manufacturer's home turf.
Jorge Martin, holding the World Championship leader mantle, pushed hard to finish just 0.099s behind in second place. Right behind him was Aprilia Racing teammate Marco Bezzecchi, rounding out the top three quickest riders in a tightly contested opening stint.
The morning session started off slow and damp, but the Japanese sun eventually broke through near the end. That weather change let everyone grab some much-needed data on Motegi's freshly laid new asphalt. Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) managed fourth, sitting 0.261s off his elder brother's pace. Further back, Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) spearheaded the respective HRC and Yamaha efforts in fifth and sixth.
Unfortunately, the morning brought real heartbreak for the home crowd. Takaaki Nakagami (Honda HRC), riding as a wildcard, suffered a nasty highside less than five minutes into the tricky conditions when his Honda machine threw him violently over the handlebars.
It is a brutal end to the weekend for the experienced Japanese star. Medical checks confirmed a fractured left collarbone, leaving him officially declared unfit for the remainder of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Rounding out the top ten, our latest winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) clocked the tenth fastest time on Friday morning as the field gets ready for a demanding weekend of racing.
