Watch San Marino MotoGP — Practice 2 Free.

What's at Stake

The Friday afternoon Practice 2 session at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is one of the most high-stakes hours of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend. Riders must secure a spot in the top ten of the timesheets to earn automatic entry into Saturday's Qualifying 2 (Q2), avoiding the unpredictable and highly competitive Q1 shootout. With grid position being absolutely critical for success in both the Sprint and Sunday's main race on this tight, physical Italian circuit, a single mistake or yellow flag in this session can severely compromise a rider's entire weekend.

Form Guide

Heading into Misano, the battle at the front of the MotoGP grid remains incredibly tight as the championship fight intensifies. Ducati riders historically hold a strong advantage at this venue, which serves as a home track for many of the grid's top Italian competitors and the Bologna manufacturer itself. Recent rounds have shown that finding an immediate setup window on Friday is crucial, with the factory teams and top independent riders consistently raising the pace and lowering lap records during these decisive afternoon sessions.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The reigning champion considers Misano his home turf and will look to establish dominance early on a track where his precise riding style excels.
• Jorge Martin — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the Spaniard is always a favorite to top the Friday afternoon timesheets and secure an easy passage to Q2.
• Marc Marquez — A master of adapting to changing track conditions, he remains a constant threat to spoil the party for the local favorites at this technical circuit.

Prediction

Expect a frantic final ten minutes of the session as riders mount soft rear tires for their final time-attack runs. Francesco Bagnaia is predicted to top the session, utilizing his extensive experience and data at Misano to edge out Jorge Martin for the fastest lap. The final spots in the top ten will likely be decided by less than a tenth of a second, leaving several high-profile factory riders forced to fight their way through Q1.