Watch MotoGP Emilia Romagna Grand Prix — Practice Free.

What's at Stake

As the premier class returns to the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, this opening practice session is critical for establishing a baseline setup. With the championship battle intensifying in the latter half of the season, securing a direct spot in Q2 during Friday's practice is vital to avoid the unpredictable first qualifying segment. Riders and teams must quickly adapt to the track conditions to gain an early psychological and mathematical advantage in the title chase.

Form Guide

Heading into this second consecutive round at Misano, momentum is highly contested among the grid's top factory riders. Recent races have highlighted a fierce rivalry at the front, with the leading contenders trading victories and podium finishes. Because the teams possess extensive data from the previous race weekend and recent testing at this very circuit, the margin for error is razor-thin, and immediate pace is expected right from the start of the session.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The reigning champion is exceptionally strong on his home turf and will look to dominate the timesheets early to assert his authority.
• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the championship challenger will be pushing the limits to secure an immediate passage into Q2.
• Marc Márquez — Having shown masterclasses in mixed and rapidly changing track conditions recently, he remains a constant threat for the top spot.

Prediction

Expect Ducati to dominate the upper echelon of the timesheets, given their extensive data package and recent dominance at Misano. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to top the Friday afternoon practice session, narrowly edging out Jorge Martín. His refined setup from the previous round at this track should give him the fractional advantage needed to lead the field into Saturday.