Marini tops FP1, Bezzecchi tops FP2 as Marquez faces Q1 in Mandalika

Luca Marini led a mixed opening day at the Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika on Friday, topping the morning practice before Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi set the pace in afternoon running, while newly crowned champion Marc Marquez suffered two crashes and, for the first time this season, faces Q1 qualifying. Marini posted the fastest time of Free Practice 1 with a 1m30.809s, while Bezzecchi finished the day quickest in Practice 2 with a 1m29.240s as riders adapted to a hot, slippery surface and a variety of tyre choices.

The sessions underlined the shifting dynamics after last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, where Marquez secured his seventh premier class title. Marquez, who arrived in Lombok having said he was "at peace with myself" after his Motegi triumph, was unhurt after lowside falls at Turn 10 and a heavier loss of the rear at Turn 5 in the afternoon. Despite returning to track on a second bike, his best Friday time of 1m30.053s left him 11th on the combined timesheets, outside the top 10 automatic slots for Q2.

Bezzecchi, who led much of the afternoon and improved repeatedly as the track evolved, ended the day 0.408 seconds clear of Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer on last...