Martin enters this weekend’s fifth race of the 2024 season with a 17-point lead in the standings. He could have been 47 points ahead if he hadn’t crashed out of the lead in the Spanish GP.
The first practice session lasted for 45 minutes and was held in perfect weather conditions. Martin, riding for Pramac, set the pace with a lap time of 1 minute and 31.421 seconds, using a fresh soft rear tire.
In the practice, Martin was ahead of Pedro Acosta from Tech3 GasGas by 0.237 seconds. Maverick Vinales from Aprilia came third after a late quick lap on a new medium rear tire. Enea Bastianini from Ducati was fourth, followed by world champion Francesco Bagnaia.
During the session, the top spot kept changing between different riders. Marc Marquez initially led, then others like Marco Bezzecchi, Bagnaia, and Bastianini took turns at the top.
About 10 minutes into the session, Marquez held the top spot with a lap time of 1 minute and 31.971 seconds. Then Bastianini clocked in at 1 minute and 31.914 seconds with 18 minutes left.
Later, Acosta briefly topped the charts with a time of 1 minute and 31.637 seconds, but it was canceled because he went off track. However, he managed to set a legitimate time of 1 minute and 31.658 seconds.
In the closing minutes, Martin put on a new soft rear tire and set the fastest time of 1 minute and 31.421 seconds.
Acosta held onto second place despite a scare when he almost fell at Turn 6. Vinales took third place, followed by Bastianini, Bagnaia, and Alex Marquez from Gresini.
The rest of the top ten included Aleix Espargaro, Brad Binder, Marc Marquez, and last year’s French GP winner Marco Bezzecchi.
Fabio Quartararo, who was expected to perform well in his home round, had a subdued start, finishing 20th. Johann Zarco was the top Honda rider in 16th place, while Joan Mir and Luca Marini from the factory team occupied the last two spots.
