Defending champion Francesco Bagnaia finished fastest in a rain-interrupted first practice for the Japan MotoGP on Friday, with championship leader Jorge Martin behind him in second.Pramac rider Martin is looking to win his first MotoGP championship after finishing second behind Bagnaia last year.
Championship leader Jorge Martin on Thursday warned of "unpredictable" conditions at this weekend's Japan MotoGP as he looks to increase his lead over nearest challenger Francesco Bagnaia."I see that the weather forecast is quite unpredictable so it will be also difficult and really challenging."
Jorge Martin won a crash-filled Indonesia MotoGP on Sunday to extend his championship lead, while closest rival Francesco Bagnaia limited the damage by claiming the final podium place.There was an intense all-Italian battle for the final podium place between Bagnaia, Enea Bastianini, Franco Morbidelli and Marcho Bezzecchi.
Francesco Bagnaia won a dramatic Indonesia MotoGP sprint race on Saturday, capitalising on an early crash by championship leader Jorge Martin to halve the Spaniard's lead to 12 points at the top of the standings.A win in the sprint would have guaranteed Martin the championship lead leaving heading into next week's Japan MotoGP, the first of five remaining race weekends in the 2024 season.