Hold onto your helmets, because Marco Bezzecchi just set the MotoGP world on fire Down Under! The Italian sensation obliterated the lap record at Phillip Island, clocking a jaw-dropping 1:26.492 to dominate Day 1 of the Liqui Moly Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. But here's where it gets controversial: while Aprilia celebrates a 1-2 finish in Practice thanks to Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez, Ducati’s Fermin Aldeguer—the reigning Indonesian GP winner—missed the automatic Q2 cut. Is this a sign of shifting tides in the championship, or just a blip in Aldeguer’s otherwise stellar season? Let’s dive in.
The day kicked off with drama as Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati’s star rider, pulled into the pit lane early, visibly frustrated. His primary bike wasn’t cooperating, forcing him to switch to his second machine. And this is the part most people miss: once on the backup bike, Pecco instantly looked more at ease, climbing to P5 within 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Bezzecchi led the pack in the chilly, windy conditions, with Pedro Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio trading top spots as the session unfolded.
Acosta’s minor crash at Turn 4 briefly halted his momentum, but the real fireworks began in the closing minutes. Home favorite Jack Miller surged up the leaderboard, briefly topping the session before Bezzecchi stole the show. His first record-breaking lap of 1:26.580 left everyone stunned, but he wasn’t done—he followed it up with an even faster 1:26.492, cementing his dominance. Fernandez secured Aprilia’s 1-2, while Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins rounded out the top four for Monster Energy Yamaha.
Bagnaia, despite his early struggles, managed to sneak into Q2 with a late lap, but Aldeguer’s last-ditch effort fell just 0.005s short of securing a top-10 spot. Is this a wake-up call for the rookie sensation, or just a minor setback? Q1 will be a battle royale, with Aldeguer, Brad Binder, Miller, and 2023 winner Johann Zarco all vying for a shot at pole position.
As we head into Saturday, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can anyone stop Bezzecchi? Aprilia’s dominance in Practice has set the stage for a thrilling qualifying session. But with MotoGP’s unpredictable nature, anything can happen. What do you think? Is Bezzecchi unstoppable, or will someone rise to the challenge? Let us know in the comments!
