Zarco Outperforms Marquez in Wet Practice Session at German MotoGP as Quartararo Suffers Crash
MotoGP Returns to Germany Amidst Unsettled Weather Forecasts
The world-renowned MotoGP series returns to the Sachsenring circuit in Germany for part two of a triple-header before the summer shutdown. The Italian GP at Mugello kicked off this thrilling racing stretch last week, setting high expectations for an action-packed season.
As with any outdoor sport, weather plays a crucial role in determining how events unfold. On Friday morning, unsettled forecasts proved correct as light rain midway through FP1 interrupted proceedings at Sachsenring. Though it briefly paused the action on track, it didn’t dampen spirits or spoil an exciting end to the session as lap times tumbled and fresh soft rubber was put in place for a time attack.
Zarco Emerges Fastest Despite Early Competition
In a frantic opening five minutes of FP1, Johann Zarco set the initial pace on his Pramac Ducati with a time of 1m22.458s. However, he was quickly overtaken by Takaaki Nakagami’s impressive time of 1m21.800s before Jorge Martin briefly took over with around thirty-seven minutes left on the clock after posting a time of 1m21.596s on his Ducati.
Despite early jostling for position and some near-misses (including Marc Marquez’s close call rounding Turn7), nothing could prepare viewers for what lay ahead: light rain that led to most riders leaving their bikes behind and taking shelter instead.
The rain eventually eased, giving riders a chance to test the conditions. It was then that Aleix Espargaro on fresh soft rubber found a time of 1m21.431s to go fastest of all before Fabio Di Giannantonio edged ahead with a time of 1m21.278s.
Zarco Takes Control as Lap Times Improve
With only seven minutes left on the clock, lap times started improving once again as Marc Marquez returned to the top spot with a time of 1m20.854s. However, it wasn’t enough to stop Zarco from lighting up timing screens with his impressive time of 1m20.702s – putting him clear by .152 seconds at the end of FP1.
In second place was Marquez; he was the only Honda inside the top ten at chequered flag while Nakagami slipped down to eleventh place and Aleix Espargaro completed an encouraging third in spite of carrying a double fracture in his foot after suffering a cycling accident during Mugello’s Italian GP.
Final Standings and Next Steps for MotoGP Fans
- Alex Marquez finished fourth riding Gresini Ducati
- Jorge Martin finished fifth followed closely by Fabio Quartararo who crashed at Turn 1 during dying moments of FP1
- KTM’s Brad Binder came in seventh while reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished eighth on the factory Ducati
- Di Giannantonio ended up ninth and VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi rounded off the top ten.
As this thrilling season continues, fans can look forward to more intense racing action at Sachsenring. Stay tuned for what promises to be a captivating MotoGP weekend!