MotoGP – 2024 Australian Grand Prix: qualifying!

Mr. Márquez at the top of the first day!

Marc Márquez started this weekend in Australia with the energy and mastery that suggests a certain domination. During a first day marked by difficult weather conditions, with rain and cold, the Spaniard imposed itself during the only session contested at Phillip Island, that of the qualifying tests. The multiple champion beat his brother Àlex Márquez by a tenth of a second, while championship rivals Jorge Martín and Francesco Bagnaia finished respectively fourth and fifthtwo tenths from the leader, Martín having notably fallen during the session.

Bad weather is quite common during the Australian GP, ​​in spring in the southern hemisphere. At Phillip Island, rain disrupted free practice 1, to the point that the race stewards decided to cancel them after two hours of waiting. The first day of MotoGP was therefore reduced to a single test sessionthat of the afternoon, where Márquez dominated from the start.

Jorge Martin fell at the start of the sessionin turn 4, during his very first flying lap. This error added pressure to the Pramac driver, who nevertheless saved his day by taking fourth place, two tenths behind Márquez, and finishing ahead of Pecco Bagnaia.

In addition to the Márquez brothers and the two title contenders, other drivers also advanced to Q2, including a strong third-placed Marco Bezzecchi, as well as sixth-placed Maverick Viñales, who showed a very good rhythm on a circuit where he has already triumphed. Let’s go for the qualifications!

Circuit de Phillip Island

• Length : 4 450 m
• Width : 13 m
• Left turns: 7
• Right turns: 5
• Longest straight line: 900 m
• Number of turns: 27
• Total distance: 120,1 km

The qualifications program