MotoGP, Japanese GP: Bezzecchi dominates pre-qualifying, Bagnaia seventh

Motegi, Sept. 26 (LaPresse) – Marco Bezzecchi posted the fastest time in Friday’s pre-qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix at the Motegi circuit. The Aprilia rider clocked 1’43.193, ahead by +0.136 seconds of Spanish rider Pedro Acosta on the KTM and +0.167 of the World Championship leader, another Spaniard Marc Marquez on the official Ducati. Fourth place went to Spaniard Joan Mir on Honda at +0.168, followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Team V646 Ducati at +0.198. Sixth was Luca Marini on the other Honda at +0.310, with Pecco Bagnaia seventh on the other official Ducati at +0.346. Completing the top ten for Q2 qualification were Fabio Quartararo on Yamaha, Raul Fernandez on Trackhouse, and Johann Zarco on Honda. Forced into Q1 were, among others, Enea Bastianini on KTM, Jorge Martin on the other Aprilia, Alex Marquez on a Gresini Ducati, and Franco Morbidelli on the other VR46 Ducati.