Marc Marquez’s prediction of nearer opposition in Catalunya got here to fruition on Friday, because the championship chief completed fourth throughout observe in Barcelona.
The Spaniard, in search of to increase a 14-race win streak in his newest residence spherical, completed behind the KTMs of Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, plus the GP24 Ducati of brother Alex (Gresini).
It’s race tempo the place Marc has usually been in a category of his personal this season. Nonetheless, whereas the manufacturing unit Ducati star’s used-tyre type was certainly quick, it was not the quickest.
Alex was faster after laps 11-15 on medium tyres entrance and rear, dipping into the 1m 39s bracket whereas Marc remained within the low 1m 40s.
Marc ended his medium tyre work after a complete of 15 laps. Alex produced a ‘40.140s on a sixteenth lap earlier than additionally switching to recent gentle tyres for the time assaults.
In contrast with those that selected lengthy runs with the gentle rear, Marc’s respective lap occasions have been slower than Acosta and Enea Bastianini, on laps 10-12.
The Marquez brothers are anticipated to check the gentle in last observe, with each rear compounds viable for Saturday’s 12-lap Dash.
“At tracks like this one, which isn’t amongst my favourites, the purpose is to stick with the entrance group,” Marc Marquez mentioned.
“The race right here might be very lengthy, however at present’s time assault went nicely and that’s essential.
“I want to enhance riding-style-wise within the quick right-handers – the place I’ve at all times struggled a bit – because the bike itself is already good as it’s.
“We used the bottom set-up at present, whereas tomorrow the group will assist me with some minor changes to seek out extra stability within the quicker sections and assist me be extra constant.”
Marc will begin the Dash with a 175-point title lead over Alex. He hasn’t been defeated since Alex’s victory within the Silverstone Dash in Could.
The eight-time world champion wants to extend his title benefit to no less than 185 factors in Barcelona to have a mathematical probability of successful the 2025 crown subsequent weekend at Misano.
Crew-mate Francesco Bagnaia was simply twenty first on Friday as his nook entry woes on the GP25 continued, quashing hopes of a breakthrough at Balaton Park.
