Marco Bezzecchi breaks Buriram MotoGP lap record after “last-minute change of plan”

Marco Bezzecchi carried his pre-season form into the opening day of the Thai MotoGP weekend, topping Friday afternoon practice after a sudden change of plan caused by threatening weather at Buriram.

With a storm looming over the circuit, teams were forced to abandon their usual race pace focus and switch to an early time attack.

Intermittent rain spots tormented the teams and riders for the remainder of the session, but cleared enough for Bezzecchi to dislodge long-time leader Fabio di Giannantonio with just two minutes to go, setting a new lap record in the process.

“I’m happy. It’s only Friday so we have to stay calm and keep ourselves super-focused,” Bezzecchi told MotoGP.com.

“It was a good lap and we managed the session well, because in one moment the rain was coming and the wind was super-strong, so we had to change the plan at the last-minute.

“But, fortunately, the team made a wonderful job.

“It’s important from both sides to be prepared and try to react in the shortest time possible.

“When I decided to stop - that was not planned – the team were ready anyway. It was very important, I think maybe the key for this kind of situation.”

Despite finishing almost half-a-second clear of eventual nearest rival Marc Marquez, Bezzecchi still insists Ducati’s reigning champion is the favourite heading into Saturday.

“I’m sure that Marc is the favourite, is still super-strong. In the right moment, he is always there, so I think that tomorrow and Sunday he will be super-fast,” Bezzecchi said.

“But he is not the only one, because also Diggia [Fabio di Giannantonio] was very fast today. Alex [Marquez] as always, is fast. Pedro [Acosta]. Jorge [Martin] was super-quick as well. So, we can never relax. We have to stay focused and continue in this way.”

Bezzecchi also declined to elaborate when asked about Aprilia’s rumoured 'F-duct'-style aerodynamics, which appear to redirect airflow when the rider’s elbows cover exit vents on the side of the bike.

“The team is working well and the whole factory in Noale is really working hard to try to improve always. For this I’m very happy,” he replied, when quizzed on a system that appears to redirect air when the rider’s elbows blow an exit vent.

Team-mate Jorge Martin was fifth fastest with Trackhouse Aprilia’s Ai Ogura also achieving direct Qualifying 2 access.