After the FP1 session in the European afternoon, the riders return to the track for MotoGP Pre-Qualifying in Austin. Here are the session times and results.
Conditions remain tricky at the Circuit of the Americas: after a wet morning in Texas, the track is drying but still partially damp, with a dry racing line and scattered wet patches. Time for Pre-Qualifying, which determines the top 10 riders advancing directly to tomorrow’s Q2, while the remaining 12 will go through Q1.
Despite a crash this morning, including a violent highside (WATCH the crash video HERE), Marc Marquez dominates with an out-of-this-world lap: 2:02.929, the only rider to go under the 2:03 mark.
The “best of the rest” is Fabio Di Giannantonio, trailing by 736 milliseconds behind the Cervera phenom, followed by Franco Morbidelli in third. The two VR46 riders secure a spot in the top three, with Alex Marquez in fourth.
Next up are a superb Aldeguer, Miller, Acosta, Vinales, and Mir, finishing from fifth to ninth place.
Shockingly, Pecco Bagnaia is tenth! The gap to Marquez is staggering—over a second and a half (+1.530). The Chivasso rider struggled significantly, with Marco Bezzecchi (P13) putting pressure on the former MotoGP champion, who now finds himself finishing P10 in Pre-Qualifying for the second time in three races.
A late crash for Johann Zarco, entering Turn 15, seals his fate. The Frenchman, third in last week’s qualifying and fourth in FP1, will now have to go through Q1 (SEE the full Pre-Qualifying results HERE).
MotoGP in Austin – upcoming sessions
With this session, the first day of MotoGP action comes to a close, influenced by a mix of rain and dry conditions. Next up, tomorrow’s schedule:
- FP2 – 16:10 (CET)
- Qualifying – 16:50
- Sprint Race – 21:00
Photo: Ducati Corse
