Reigning MotoGP world champion Quartararo topped first practice for the Valencia finale while championship leader Bagnaia finished down in 17th. Full report and results:
For just the fifth time in the modern MotoGP era, the championship battle will be decided at the final round of the season.by 23 points coming into the finale, and needs to win on Sunday and hope his rival is 15th or lower to have any hope of retaining the crown.
The reigning champion is injured coming to Valencia, having fractured the middle finger on his left hand, and several times in FP1 the Yamaha rider was seen stretching his hand on cool-down laps.The pair traded the op spot several times over the opening course of the 45-minute practice, with Marquez leading the way with a 1m31.805s after seven minutes of running.
Around 15 minutes later, Marquez slid off his Honda at Turn 2, but was quickly able to rejoin the session on his number one bike. With just under 14 minutes to go, Quartararo returned to the top of the order with a 1m31.399s which would go unbeaten through to the chequered flag.completed the top three.
Bagnaia made a steady start to the biggest weekend of his grand prix career, the factory Ducati rider 0.6s off the pace of Quartararo down in 17th.
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