MOTEGI, Oct 2 — 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.
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez, Alex’s brother, clocked the third-fastest time for Ducati Leonovo 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 favorite 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.
