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Bastianini Leads Soft-Tyre Runs in Final Practice
Enea Bastianini produced an unexpected benchmark to lead final free practice for the 2026 Malaysian MotoGP at the Sepang International Circuit, heading the running in round 19 of the 22-event world championship. The Tech3 KTM rider set his session-topping lap during a dummy qualifying simulation using fresh soft tyres in the closing moments of track action. Alex Marquez in second also completed a comparable late soft-tyre qualifying simulation, while Friday pace-setter Marc Marquez was 13th.
Aprilia Shows Used-Tyre Speed Against Ducati Record
Behind the leading duo, Marco Bezzecchi and Ai Ogura slotted into third and fourth, spearheading an Aprilia resurgence by registering the fastest times on used rubber. Aprilia faces a historically strong Ducati contingent at Sepang, where Francesco Bagnaia claimed the sprint victory and Alex Marquez took the grand prix win the previous year, during which Ogura finished as the top Aprilia runner in tenth. Heading into Saturday's sprint, Bezzecchi sits 50 points adrift of the championship summit and represents Aprilia's primary threat against Ducati's form, having also featured as the sole Aprilia representative within an all-Ducati top six during pre-season testing at the venue.
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Martin Battles Wrist Injury in Title Fight
Championship leader Marc Marquez entered Saturday action holding a ten-point advantage over title rival Jorge Martin. Martin had surrendered the points lead and sustained a fractured wrist during a fall while contesting the lead with Marquez at Phillip Island the previous weekend. While that incident ruled Martin out of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, the subsequent race cancellation prevented Marquez from taking further advantage. Martin was evaluated during FP1 and passed fit to compete at Sepang, but he withdrew after just several laps in Friday afternoon practice to rest the injured joint. Returning for FP2, Martin subsequently walked out of the Aprilia garage prior to the end of the session, leaving his participation in Qualifying 1 uncertain.
Grid Adjustments and Returnees Across the Paddock
The Malaysian Grand Prix weekend also brought several changes to the wider grid. Raul Fernandez withdrew from the event due to a recent finger fracture. Elsewhere, Honda Racing Corporation welcomed back both Luca Marini and Joan Mir, with Marini returning after missing Phillip Island due to a virus and Mir reappearing following medical care for fatigue issues dating back to Misano. Meanwhile, Toprak Razgatlioglu will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, with Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez substituting for him at Pramac.
Sources: 2026 Malaysian MotoGP, Sepang – Saturday Practice Results.
