MOTEGI: Spain’s Alex Marquez set a new lap record at the Japan MotoGP Friday in a practice session dominated by the Ducati-Gresini rider.

Marquez flew around the dry Motegi circuit in 1 minute 42.81 seconds, ahead of second-fastest Pedro Acosta, with KTM, who trailed by 0.076 seconds.

“I was feeling really comfortable. Really, really good,” Marquez said. “Everything was coming in a natural way.”

Reigning world champion Marc Marquez, Alex’s brother, clocked the third-fastest time for Ducati Lenovo as he chases season leader Jorge Martin, who settled for eighth.

Martin holds a 12-point lead over Marc Marquez with seven rounds remaining — including Sunday’s race.

Local favourite Ai Ogura of Aprilia-Trackhouse finished 15th fastest in practice, but his bike spewed thick white smoke and spilled oil, triggering a red flag and causing the session to be temporarily suspended.

Japanese wild card Takaaki Nakagami on Honda was ruled out of the remainder of the weekend after crashing only minutes into the morning free practice and fracturing his collarbone.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026