Marco Bezzecchi “much better than last Friday” but Marquez “super strong” in US MotoGP practice

Marco Bezzecchi began his quest for a fifth grand prix victory in a row with the fourth fastest lap time in Friday practice at COTA.

That’s 16 places higher than a week ago in Brazil, when the world championship leader’s lowly 20th place also sent him into Qualifying 1.

Bezzecchi avoided the stress of a Q1 appearance in Texas by lapping just 0.200s behind Ducati’s Marc Marquez. 

One of the riders between them was fellow Aprilia rider Ai Ogura, whose data will offer helpful clues for Bezzecchi to make another step for Saturday.

“It was a positive Friday - much better than last Friday in Brazil!” Bezzecchi told MotoGP.com. “Overall, I felt good this morning and also this afternoon.

“We have to keep working because I still don't feel completely right with the bike, but I can't complain at all. And we have a lot of data to watch. Also, Ai [Ogura] was fast, so overall I'm happy.”

Cameras images caught something falling off Bezzecchi’s RS-GP as he left the pits for his final Friday run.

“I had no idea. The TV guys before just told me,” Bezzecchi said. “So I think it was not too important!”

Asked if he feels he can take the fight to seven-time COTA winner Marquez this weekend, Bezzecchi replied:

“Well, Marc has been super strong. Besides the crash, he showed that he can be very quick in a very short amount of time.

“But we are trying to make the best, so hopefully I can make a small step for tomorrow. I need it, to be quicker, and then we will see.”

Despite his Sunday success, stretching back to Portimao last season, Bezzecchi is yet to claim a Sprint rostrum in 2026, crashing in Thailand and finishing fourth in Brazil.

Bezzecchi will start the COTA Sprint race with an 11 point lead over team-mate Jorge Martin, who was seventh in Friday practice.