Marco Bezzecchi made a rare (for 2024) appearance at the top of the timesheets in the opening practice session for MotoGP's Thai Grand Prix.
An early 1m30.492s from the VR46 Ducati rider held up even when Jorge Martin put on fresh rubber in the final minutes, the championship leader's Pramac Ducati remaining 0.038 seconds behind Bezzecchi.
Martin's title rival Pecco Bagnaia was third ahead of the Marquez brothers, Marc in front of Alex. Bagnaia's Ducati team-mate Enea Bastianini made a last-gasp move from 14th to sixth.
Pedro Acosta returned to action after his Phillip Island shoulder injury and was seventh, one place ahead of fellow KTM runner Jack Miller.
It was an encouraging morning for Honda with Taka Nakagami briefly in the top two for LCR and ending up ninth.
With Fabio Quartararo 10th for Yamaha, Aprilia was the only manufacturer without a bike in the top 10.
Maverick Vinales was only 15th on the best of its bikes and the team had a scare when Aleix Espargaro crashed at the final corner and required medical checks. Aprilia is confident those are precautionary and he will be back out for the afternoon practice session.
Leading positions
1 Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Ducati)
2 Jorge Martin (Pramac Ducati)
3 Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati)
4 Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati)
5 Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati)
6 Enea Bastianini (Ducati)
7 Pedro Acosta (Tech3 GasGas)
8 Jack Miller (KTM)
9 Taka Nakagami (LCR Honda)
10 Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha)
