14:28
Factory Aprilias now on time attack runs, Bezzrcchi goes down to 1m52.275s, that's a new lap record and puts him 0.4s clear of the field.
Marc Marquez, 2026 MotoGP Czech Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose
Brno MotoGP LIVE: Friday Practice reaction after Ai Ogura ends fastest
Live coverage of the Friday practice sessions at the 2026 Czech Republic MotoGP from the Automotodrom Brno.
Live updates from the Friday practice sessions at the 2026 MotoGP Czech Grand Prix at Brno. Practice is due to start at 15:00 local time.
Key Moments
- Ogura ends fastest as five riders go sub-1m53s
- Marquez the first into the 1m51s, soon followed by Ogura
- Acosta goes fastest, then suffers technical issue
- Bezzecchi leads after Aprilia goes early with first time attack runs
- Marquez crashes at turn 11 as Bezzecchi leads Practice
Marco Bezzecchi arrives at the Czech MotoGP leading the championship by 20 points over Jorge Martin after both factory Aprilias crashed out of the Hungary race two weeks ago.
The cause of that double-DNF was Martin's loss of control entering the first turn. Bezzecchi said yesterday that there is no change in the atmosphere at Aprilia after the incident, while Martin offered a different opinion on the cause of the crash to Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, who blamed a Martin error for the crash immediately after the race at Balaton.
Both factory Aprilia riders struggled this morning. Martin suffered a technical issue on one of his bikes and ended up 14th, while Marco Bezzecchi ran off at the penultimate turn on his first lap and could only manage 16th in the end.
The consequence in the championship of the two Aprilias not scoring in Hungary is that Marc Marquez closed his points deficit down to 72 points compared to Bezzecchi. The reigning champion was the winner at Brno last year, beating Bezzecchi and Pedro Acosta in what was a commanding performance. Hungary was Marquez's first win of the season, although the long corners of Brno should theoretically be more suited to the Aprilia.
In comparison to the two Aprilias, Marquez was in emphatic form this morning, finishing 0.2 seconds clear of the field despite a late crash, having been the only rider to lap in the 1m53s for most of the session.
Marc Marquez is not the only Marquez brother on the grid this weekend as Alex Marquez makes his return after his Catalunya crash. The Gresini rider was passed fit yesterday but will have to undergo another medical assessment after FP1 to verify his capacity to continue the weekend. Speaking yesterday, Marquez explained the importance of returning this weekend after a month without racing. This morning, Marquez finished 18th, 1.2 seconds off the pace.
Johann Zarco is still not yet ready to come back from his knee injury from Catalunya and will be replaced again by Cal Crutchlow this weekend, the British rider entering his third round of the season. Crutchlow is also due to replace Zarco at the Dutch TT next weekend.
On Monday there is a post-race test with the 850cc bikes and Pirelli tyres and it has already caused some controversy, mostly because not all riders are eligible to take part because some are moving brands next year. Fabio Di Giannantonio described this as "not fair" yesterday, while Francesco Bagnaia's idea for riders changing teams next year should be able to ride 1,000cc machines in the test was thwarted.
19 Jun 2026
14:26
Ogura also on a fresh soft rear tyre and he jumps ahead of Fernandez by a tenth.
Still 35 minutes to go so very early for these first time attacks.
14:25
A couple of improvements in a row from Bastianini have taken him into P7.
A few moments later, Fernandez goes to the top with a 1m52.862s. Fresh soft rear tyre for Fernandez.
14:18
Almost everyone back in the pits now apart from Moreira, currently 22nd, and Acosta in 8th.
14:11
Marquez crash
Marc Marquez was heading to the top of the times but has crashed out at turn 11. Second crash of the day for the 2025 Brno winner.
Just lost the front as he tapped the throttle back in.
14:06
Decent start from Bezzecchi to the session, he was fastest for a while but Di Giannantonio and Vinales have just gone clear of him.
14:01
Practice start
Pit lane is open in Brno and we are underway for Practice
13:56
Trackhouse decides on 2027 MotoGP line-up?
“It means something” - Aprilia’s 850cc test line-up hints at Trackhouse MotoGP choice
Raul Fernandez, Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Thai MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
13:45
Aprilia looking for improvements
It was a mixed bag for Aprilia this morning. the Trackhouse riders were both inside the top-five, but the factory riders were absent from the top-10.
Jorge Martin had his own technical problems in the session which compromised him a bit, finishing 14th, and Marco Bezzecchi was down in 16th.
We've become used to Aprilia improving throughout a weekend, and it looks like they will be needing some substantial performance gains this afternoon if they are to be in contention to move straight through to Q2 from Practice and avoid the uncertainty of Q1.
13:33
Conditions have warmed up this afternoon, as you'd expect. 30C air temperature and 48C track temperature.
Moto2 Practice was red flagged earlier for a crash for Barry Baltus so we are a little bit delayed with this session. 16 minutes remaining for the intermediate class this afternoon, so MotoGP PR will be able to start on time assuming there are no more delays.
13:18
Practice
Welcome back to live coverage of today's action from the Czech MotoGP at Brno. Practice is due to start in around 40 minutes at 15:00 local time.
12:27
Ezpeleta: Goal for MotoGP is "22 Super Bowls"
Carlos Ezpeleta, speaking in the press conference earlier where the agreement between MotoGP and the manufacturers was confirmed, says the series wants "22 Super Bowls" in its race calendar going forwards.
The MotoGP sporting director explained that this was about changing how MotoGP is presented, rather than the sport itself.
Full story here.
Manufacturer representatives with Carlos Ezpeleta in press conference announcing new…
© Gold & Goose
12:13
Who announces first?
"Coming soon” - When will 2027 MotoGP rider deals be announced?
Paolo Pavesio, Pit Beirer, Massimo Rivola, Carlos Ezpeleta, Luigi Dall'lgna, Koji Watanabe,…
© Gold and Goose
12:13
MotoGP manufacturers sign up for 2027
Official: MotoGP manufacturers agree 2027 commercial deal as standoff ends
Start, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
11:58
MotoGP confirms controversial one-bike rule is under consideration
A controversial one-bike rule for MotoGP has been confirmed as being under consideration.
MotoGP confirms controversial one-bike rule is under consideration
KTM bikes, 2026 MotoGP season
© Gold and Goose
10:41
Report: Marc Marquez leads Brno MotoGP FP1 despite a crash
Marc Marquez kicked off the Brno MotoGP weekend leading FP1 despite a late crash.
Report ⬇️
Marc Marquez leads Brno MotoGP FP1 despite a crash
Marc Marquez, Ducati Corse, 2026 Czech MotoGP
© Gold and Goose
10:33
Not a great morning for the factory Aprilia team. Issues for Martin, of course, and he ends 14th. Bezzecchi down in 16th.
10:32
Brno MotoGP: FP1 Results
2026 Czech MotoGP, Brno - Friday Practice Results
Marc Marquez, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose
10:32
Marc Marquez tops FP1
Chequered flag is out on FP1 and it's Marc Marquez who ends fastest despite his late crash.
Quartararo gets up to second late on ahead of Fernandez.
Mir and Ogura round out the top-five ahead of Bganaia, Aldeguer, Di Giannantonio, Acosta, and Marini who complete the top-10.
10:29
Marquez crash
Marc Marquez has crashed at turn seven. Just lost the front in the middle of turn seven but he seems okay.
10:25
Fresh tyres for Mir - mediums - and he gets clean lap in at the second time of asking to go third on a 1.53.523s.
10:24
Martin back out on track and up to eighth. He's half-a-tenth ahead of Bezzecchi now.
10:24
Mir was the latest rider into the 1m53s but he's had that lap cancelled for track limits.
10:22
Aldeguer and Fernandez have improved and are into the 1m53s now, still Marquez at the top by 0.294s over Fernandez though.
10:18
Bagnaia has become the second rider to lap in the 1m53s, but he's still 0.4s behind his team-mate.
Ogura up to third behind the factory Ducatis, but he's 0.3s behind Bagnaia.
Bezzecchi still down in eighth, Martin in 20th after his early issues.