Vinales Dominates Incident-Heavy Friday Practice at Sachsenring, Marquez Faces Setbacks Ahead of 2024 German MotoGP

Results from Friday's practice sessions for the 2024 German MotoGP at the Sachsenring circuit, which constitutes the 9th round out of a total of 20 in the world championship series.

Results from the Second Practice Session of the 2024 German MotoGP at Sachsenring

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Sachsenring MotoGP Official Records:

Quickest lap: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1m 19.765s (2022)

Speediest race lap: Johann Zarco with a time of 1m 21.225s (2023)

Fastest circuit time: Francesco Bagnaia clocked at 1 minute and 19.765 seconds (2022)

Quickest lap time in the race: Johann Zarco clocked at 1 minute and 21.225 seconds (2023)

Maverick Vinales takes the forefront in a tumultuous Friday afternoon session for the 2024 German MotoGP at Sachsenring, filled with numerous incidents.

However, among those who did not make it into the top ten this afternoon, and are set for Saturday's Qualifying 1 session, is Marc Marquez, the winner of eleven Sachsenring races.

The Gresini team member experienced a significant highside crash at Turn 11, then bounced back to lead the timing charts, before deciding to leave his Ducati to seek a medical evaluation.

Marquez was subsequently deemed healthy enough to race but chose not to rejoin the competition, resulting in him dropping to the 13th position.

Marco Bezzecchi and Enea Bastianini both escaped unharmed from crashes occurring at the notorious Turn 11 Ralf Waldmann/Waterfall bend.

The meeting was interrupted by red flags 20 minutes in to fix an air barrier at Turn 1, following a major crash involving Fabio di Giannantonio.

The Italian rider, who had his right arm caught in the gravel, managed a smile as he proceeded for medical evaluation and was subsequently cleared to race again. Demonstrating remarkable courage, di Giannantonio made a comeback to secure a position within the top ten.

Following the break, Marquez quickly ascended to the pinnacle of the leaderboard, only to immediately return to the pits, swap out of his racing suit, and proceed to undergo a medical evaluation.

Alex Marquez, the brother and teammate, initially claimed the lead. However, as fresh tires were introduced for the time trials, Marquez, riding number 73, was quickly overtaken by the Aprilias, piloted by Miguel Oliveira and Vinales.

Following the race's resumption, Takaaki Nakagami, Joan Mir, Pedro Acosta, and Augusto Fernandez experienced additional slow right-hand mishaps. In the closing moments, a significant incident occurred at Turn 11, where Enea Bastianini suffered a lowside crash.

Substitute rider Remy Gardner for Monster Yamaha was the last to crash during the afternoon, experiencing his fall at Turn 13, yet he managed to secure a position ahead of Stefan Bradl and Joan Mir.

This morning, Aleix Espargaro pulled out of the competition, having assessed his hand's condition by completing several leisurely laps in FP1. During the afternoon session, Espargaro observed from the Aprilia team's pit area.

2024 MotoGP German Grand Prix, Sachsenring – First Practice Outcomes

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Record-Holding MotoGP Performances at Sachsenring:

Quickest single lap: Francesco Bagnaia with a time of 1 minute and 19.765 seconds (2022)

Rapidest lap during a race: Johann Zarco clocked at 1 minute and 21.225 seconds (2023)

Fastest circuit time: Francesco Bagnaia recorded a 1 minute and 19.765 seconds lap in 2022.

Quickest lap time in the race: Johann Zarco clocked at 1 minute and 21.225 seconds (2023)

Jorge Martin outperforms Marc Marquez in the initial practice session of the 2024 German MotoGP, held at the Sachsenring under cool yet clear weather conditions.

Marquez, who has claimed victory at Sachsenring 11 times, only fueled anticipations for Ducati's inaugural win by dominating the majority of the 45-minute session.

However, Jorge Martin, who clinched victories in two races the previous year, quickly established himself as a contender by setting a fast pace early on, eventually ascending to the lead in the timing rankings.

Martin had to sit out the last moments after his airbag activated while braking for Turn 12!

At the same time, Marquez found himself in the pit lane, having taken a fall at Turn 1, which prematurely concluded his session.

Maverick Vinales, alongside his RS-GP teammate Miguel Oliveira, secured the third and fourth positions respectively.

In his last opportunity to surpass Marquez as the youngest victor in a MotoGP race, newcomer Pedro Acosta, riding for Tech3 KTM, recorded the fifth fastest lap, even after crashing at the last turn during the weekend.

Augusto Fernandez, along with Enea Bastianini and Alex Marquez, finished among the top eight positions, as his team-mate.

Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion aiming to prolong his series of five consecutive victories, returned to his characteristic cautious opening (following his lead in FP1 at Assen) by placing ninth.

Aleix Espargaro, who had to pull out of last Sunday's events in Assen due to a hand fracture sustained during Saturday's Sprint, was deemed healthy enough to compete but decided to retire his RS-GP after completing only a few slow laps, opting not to participate any further in the weekend's activities.

World Superbike mainstay Remy Gardner, filling in for the sidelined Alex Rins at Monster Yamaha, concluded his initial MotoGP circuit outing since Valencia 2022 – and his premiere ride on a YZR-M1 – in 22nd position.

On Saturday, the mercury is set to rise sharply, potentially bringing thunderstorms, followed by a decrease in temperature on Sunday.

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