According to MotoGP.com and official race data, Marc Marquez set the pace during the opening practice session for the San Marino Grand Prix, edging out home favorite Marco Bezzecchi by just 0.060 seconds at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Friday, September 11, 2026. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider clocked a benchmark lap of 1 minute 31.468 seconds on his final run, utilizing a used soft front tyre and a medium rear, to top the timesheets in the championship’s fourteenth round.
Misano FP1 Battle: Marc Marquez Edges Bezzecchi
The opening session on the Adriatic coast developed into a tight duel at the top. According to MotoGP.com, Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi traded the provisional fastest times during the morning’s dry running. Bezzecchi ultimately secured second place with a time of 1 minute 31.528 seconds aboard his Aprilia Racing machine, running a medium-medium tyre combination. Trackhouse MotoGP Team’s Raul Fernandez claimed third, finishing 0.133 seconds off the pace despite competing solo while teammate Ai Ogura continued recovering from a hand injury, as reported by MotoGP.com.
Further down the top five, Alex Marquez finished fourth for BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, while Johann Zarco delivered a strong performance to take fifth for Castrol Honda LCR. The session saw several high-profile crashes as riders pushed early limits. Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing slid off at Turn 1 but avoided serious injury, recovering to place sixth. Meanwhile, Pramac Yamaha rider Jack Miller suffered an early exit from the timesheets after crashing at Turn 4 due to a front-brake lock-up on his out-lap.
Midfield Shuffling and Struggling Contenders
Local riders experienced mixed fortunes during the morning outing. According to MotoGP.com, Luca Marini placed seventh for Honda HRC Castrol, finishing ahead of championship leader Jorge Martin, who settled for eighth position on his Aprilia Racing entry. Fabio Quartararo provided a bright spot for the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team by securing ninth, while Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top ten for the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.
Pro Tip: Pay close attention to tyre strategies during early practice sessions at Misano. Teams balancing durability and grip often test mixed compounds—such as the soft-medium setup used by Marc Marquez—to gather crucial data for the afternoon’s crucial Practice session.
Title contenders faced significant hurdles down the order. Francesco Bagnaia struggled to find pace with his factory Ducati, languishing in 18th position. The Italian rider sat three spots behind compatriot Enea Bastianini, who clocked the 15th-fastest time for Red Bull KTM Tech3. Afternoon running scheduled for Friday evening local time determines the direct entrants for Qualifying 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who set the fastest lap in FP1 at Misano for the 2026 San Marino Grand Prix?
According to MotoGP.com, Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team set the fastest lap with a time of 1 minute 31.468 seconds.
What was the gap between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi?
Marco Bezzecchi finished 0.060 seconds behind Marc Marquez, taking second place for Aprilia Racing.
Which riders crashed during the opening practice session?
Pedro Acosta crashed at Turn 1, recovering to finish sixth, while Jack Miller fell at Turn 4 following a front-brake issue on his out-lap.
Join the Conversation: Can Marc Marquez maintain his advantage through the afternoon practice sessions, or will Bezzecchi bounce back on home turf? Leave a comment below and share your predictions for the San Marino Grand Prix weekend!