Watch San Marino MotoGP - Practice Free.

What's at Stake

The afternoon Practice session at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is one of the most critical hours of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend. With only the top ten fastest riders securing a direct ticket to Saturday's Qualifying 2, the grid faces intense pressure to deliver a perfect flying lap. Missing the cut-off forces riders into the unpredictable shootout of Qualifying 1, heavily compromising their starting positions for both the Sprint and Sunday's main race.

Form Guide

As the MotoGP paddock arrives in Misano, the battle at the front of the championship remains fiercely contested, with Ducati-backed machinery traditionally dominating this high-grip, flowing Italian circuit. Recent rounds have highlighted a tight tactical battle between the reigning champion and his closest title rivals, all of whom have shown exceptional single-lap pace in Friday afternoon sessions. Meanwhile, Aprilia and KTM remain poised to disrupt the established order, relying on their latest aerodynamic packages to challenge the Italian manufacturer on its home turf.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian powerhouse considers Misano his home territory and will look to establish immediate dominance on a track where his precise riding style excels.
• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the Spaniard is always a favorite to top the Friday timesheets and secure an easy passage into Q2.
• Marc Márquez — A master of finding grip in tricky conditions, his ability to extract the absolute limit from his machine makes him a constant threat during the final time-attack runs.

Prediction

Expect Ducati to dominate the top of the timesheets, with Francesco Bagnaia securing the fastest lap of the session to lead the direct entrants into Q2. The final minutes will see frantic track action and yellow flags, leaving at least one high-profile factory rider unexpectedly fighting through Q1. Ultimately, the high-grip surface of Misano will favor those who can maximize rear-tire hookup during the late soft-tyre runs.