Watch MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix — Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

The Friday afternoon Practice session at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is one of the most critical hours of the entire weekend, as riders fight directly for a top-10 spot to secure automatic entry into Saturday's Q2 qualifying shootout. Missing the cut forces riders into the high-pressure Q1 session, severely complicating their starting grid prospects for both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix. With the championship battle intensifying, securing a direct route to Q2 is vital for the title contenders looking to avoid unnecessary risks and traffic early in the weekend.

Form Guide

As the paddock returns to Misano for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, momentum is highly concentrated among the leading Ducati riders who have dominated recent rounds on Italian soil. Local favorites and factory contenders have shown exceptional pace at this venue in previous weeks, making them the benchmark for the rest of the field. Meanwhile, rival manufacturers are searching for setup breakthroughs to close the gap on one-lap pace and challenge the established frontrunners on Friday afternoon.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The reigning champion considers Misano his home turf and will look to establish his authority early in the session to secure a safe passage to Q2.
• Jorge Martin — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the Spaniard is always a threat to top the timesheets when soft tires are fitted in the closing minutes.
• Marc Marquez — Having shown superb adaptability and strong recent form on low-grip and evolving track conditions, he remains a prime candidate to challenge the lead Ducati contingent.

Prediction

Expect the factory Ducati riders to dominate the final minutes of the session as the soft rear tires are deployed for the decisive time attacks. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to top the timesheets just ahead of Jorge Martin, utilizing his extensive data and comfort level at Misano to secure the fastest lap. The margin at the top will likely be incredibly tight, with less than a tenth of a second separating the top three positions.