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The MotoGP Solidarity GP in Barcelona is underway and the day started with the Free practice 1. Barcelona hosted its second race of the season as Valencia was heavily hit by flood. The session was a surprise as Takaaki Nakagami stole the show from Martin and Bagnaia by setting the fastest lap of the session.
Nakagaami is the MAN
Taka-san on top! 🤩@takanakagami30 leads the way in close and eventful FP1 session in Barcelona! 👊#SolidarityGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/QGH7qBmOzi
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 15, 2024
The Idemitsu Honda LCR rider was outstanding as he clocked 1.40.501s lap time finishing ahead of Red Bull Gas Gas Tech 3 rider Pedro Acosta. The Spaniard crashed early during the session after a collision with A Fernandez. But returned to the session finishing second ahead of Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing who was also very impressive and finished third. The fourth place was secured by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Brad Binder ahead of championship leader Jorge Martin who finished fifth.
The reigning champion Bagnaia finished seventh and his teammate Enea Bastianini separated the championship contenders by finishing sixth. The two MotoGP title contenders were under immense pressure as just a few points separated them with Martin having the advantage.
Bagnaia crashed during the session when he was doing warmup as Maverick Vinales passed him. The championship fight has gone into his head, we think as the crash was not meant to happen if it was a normal day for him.
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Aprilia racing rider Maverick Vinales finished Eighth ahead of KTMs Jack Miller and Marc Marquez. The outgoing rider Aleix Espargaro finished in 14th. The biggest surprise in this session was Takaaki Nakagami as everyone expected it to be Martin, Bagnaia's 1-2 finish.
The Honda rider was outstanding in setting the fastest lap despite falling at the start of the session. The day is not over for the championship fighters Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia as we still have another practice session today. We are expecting the title contenders to fire up in the next session.