P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Japanese MotoGP, Motegi – Friday Practice Results
In the opening practice session for the 2023 Japanese MotoGP at Motegi, Jorge Martin set the pace despite a late fall. He was leading by 0.4 seconds when he ran wide and crashed in the gravel, but remained at the top. Rookie Augusto Fernandez secured second place by using a new soft rear tire. Marco Bezzecchi finished third, pushing reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia to fourth. Joan Mir fell but managed to charge to fifth place, ahead of Brad Binder and Maverick Vinales. Yamaha wild-card Cal Crutchlow started his first event since Valencia 2022 in 18th place. Alex Rins, returning from injury, finished 21st. The afternoon session will determine the top ten riders for Qualifying 2. Bagnaia currently leads the championship, but Martin is just 13 points behind him after a fall in the previous race. Two more riders, Alex Marquez and Luca Marini, suffered fractures and will miss the Motegi round. Ducati test rider Michele Pirro is filling in for Enea Bastianini. Cal Crutchlow is making his first wild-card appearance since retiring in 2020. Rain is expected on Saturday.
Source: Crash
