Marquez on top again as 'Misano 2' MotoGP weekend begins

Marc Marquez topped the opening practice of MotoGP’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix ahead of title rival Jorge Martin as mixed conditions prompted a slow start to Friday’s running.

Gresini Ducati rider Marquez, who won at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in the first of the back-to-back races there two weeks ago, was quickest with a 1m32.082s, 0.063s ahead of Pramac rider Martin.

Heavy rainfall in the region on Thursday and overnight into Friday meant the circuit remained quiet for much of the 45-minute session, with only three riders having set a time after the first 10 minutes.

As the Italian track dried out, others tentatively ventured out on slicks, with reigning world champion Pecco Bagnaia and Martin joining the action with 20 minutes remaining.

Both riders lingered just inside the top 10 on their early attempts, which were in the 1m34s, before Marquez headed out soon after.

Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo topped the times heading into the final 10 minutes, setting a 1m33.013s on his M1, which is soon to undergo a radical transformation as the Japanese manufacturer switches to a new V4 engine.

Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Tech3) briefly led, with a 1m32.618s, before Martin, who topped the same session last time out, went quickest.

Though he improved again soon after to a 1m32.145s, it was Marquez who was quickest of all, setting a 1m32.318s before improving by over 0.3s to lead at the end of the session.

Martin was second fastest ahead of team-mate Franco Morbidelli, who secured his first podium finish in over three years in the Misano sprint last time out.

Bagnaia finished the session in fourth ahead of Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales, Gresini’s Alex Marquez and Acosta.

KTM’s Brad Binder, Quartararo and Jack Miller (KTM) rounded off the top 10.