Bezzecchi and Márquez Rule in a Very Erratic First Trial: MotoGP India 2023
The Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, roared to life as MotoGP’s inaugural event in India, the MotoGP Bharat, kicked off with its first practice session. The action on the track was nothing short of thrilling, marked by unpredictability and moments that left fans on the edge of their seats.
In a session where the top spot on the timesheets seemed to change with every passing lap, Marco Bezzecchi from the VR46 Racing Team and Marc Márquez of the Repsol Honda Team emerged as the standout performers.
The early moments of the practice session saw a fierce battle between Jorge Martin and Luca Marini, both riding their Ducatis. Martin was the first to break the 1-minute 50-second barrier, setting a blistering lap time of 1m49.358s. However, Marini wasn’t far behind, falling just 0.017s short of his rival’s benchmark.
The Duopoly
As the duopoly of Marini and Martin looked set, Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia made his presence felt, recording a lap time of 1m47.611s. Aprilia’s performance in this session hinted at their competitiveness on this track.
But perhaps the most dramatic part of the session was the resurgence of Jorge Martin. After dropping to sixth place, Martin reclaimed his position at the top with an astonishing time of 1m46.817s.
Bezzecchi’s Attack
However, the pendulum swung back towards the VR46 Racing Team as Marco Bezzecchi launched an incredible attack in the closing minutes of practice. Bezzecchi’s final lap, timed at 1m45.990s, not only broke the 1m46s barrier but left him comfortably at the top of the timesheets.
Surprisingly, it was Marc Márquez who secured the second spot with a late improvement of 1m46.129s. Despite a crash during the session, Brad Binder on the factory KTM held strong to secure the third position. Raul Fernandez and Aleix Espargaro rounded out the top five.
Erratic Session
It was an erratic session for Ducati, with five of their riders finishing inside the top 10. However, it was Francesco Bagnaia who struggled, ending up in 15th place, over a second behind the pace set by Bezzecchi.
Yamaha, on the other hand, faced early challenges, with Fabio Quartararo experiencing mechanical issues that hampered his session.
As the Indian GP weekend unfolds, the stage is set for more intense battles and unpredictable results. The inaugural MotoGP Bharat promises to be an unforgettable event, with riders pushing their limits on the iconic Buddh International Circuit.
