Watch MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix — 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 weekend, as riders fight to finish in the top 10 and secure direct entry into Qualifying 2. Avoiding the unpredictable Q1 shootout is essential for securing a strong grid position, which heavily influences success on this tight and physical Italian circuit. With the championship battle entering its crucial final stages, any mistake during this session can severely compromise a rider's entire Grand Prix weekend.

Form Guide

Heading into the San Marino Grand Prix, the battle at the front of the grid remains incredibly tight, with Ducati riders continuing to set the benchmark for pace and consistency. Misano is a familiar testing ground for much of the grid, meaning setup times will be minimal and lap times will be exceptionally close from the very first run. Riders who have excelled on high-grip, technical layouts in recent weeks will carry significant momentum into this crucial Friday afternoon session.

Key Players to Watch

• Francesco Bagnaia — The Italian powerhouse considers Misano his home turf and consistently delivers blisteringly fast, precise laps during Friday afternoon practice.
• Jorge Martín — Known for his explosive single-lap speed, the Spaniard is always a favorite to top the timing sheets when the soft rear tires are fitted.
• Marc Márquez — A master of adapting to track conditions, his aggressive style and past success at Misano make him a constant threat for the top spots.

Prediction

Expect Ducati to dominate the top of the timesheets, with Francesco Bagnaia leveraging his extensive local knowledge to top the session just ahead of Jorge Martín. The battle for the final Q2 spots will likely come down to the final seconds, with less than half a second separating the top ten riders. Ultimately, the factory Ducati riders and the leading satellite Desmosedicis will comfortably secure their direct passage into Saturday's shootout.