Watch San Marino MotoGP — Practice 1 Free.

What's at Stake

As the MotoGP paddock arrives at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, the opening practice session of the San Marino Grand Prix marks a critical juncture in the world championship battle. With the season entering its final third, securing a direct spot in Q2 is paramount, making every minute of Friday's track time vital for the title contenders looking to establish an early psychological and technical advantage. Furthermore, this round serves as a home race for a significant portion of the grid and manufacturers, adding immense local pride and pressure to the weekend's proceedings.

Form Guide

The momentum heading into Misano is highly contested, with Ducati continuing to dictate the pace at the front of the field. Recent rounds have seen a fierce tactical battle between the reigning champion and his closest title rivals, who have traded victories and podium finishes across varying track layouts. Misano's high-grip surface and stop-and-go nature typically favor riders with strong front-end feeling and braking stability, meaning those who excelled in the previous European rounds will look to carry their high-speed rhythm straight into this opening session.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian powerhouse considers Misano his true home turf and will look to dominate from the very first lap of Practice 1.
• Jorge Martin — Known for his explosive immediate pace, the Spaniard is always a threat to top the Friday timesheets as he seeks to disrupt his rivals' rhythm.
• Marc Marquez — With an exceptional historical record at the Misano circuit, his ability to quickly find the limit in low-grip morning conditions makes him a key protagonist.

Prediction

Expect Ducati to assert their authority early in the session, utilizing their extensive data library at this venue to dial in their setups rapidly. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to top the timesheets in Practice 1, closely followed by Jorge Martin, as the title favorites waste no time in setting the benchmark pace. The local knowledge and favorable bike characteristics of the Italian machinery should prove too strong for the chasing pack in this opening encounter.