Bezzecchi Tops Australian MotoGP Practice After Crash as Wallaby Interrupts Session

Posted : 23 October 2026

Marco Bezzecchi produced a remarkable recovery to top Friday’s Australian MotoGP practice at Phillip Island, finishing ahead of fellow Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez in a session interrupted by a wallaby entering the circuit.

The Italian recorded a fastest lap of one minute 26.775 seconds in warm but windy conditions, securing the leading position at the final stages of the session. Fernandez finished just 0.072 seconds behind, while reigning world champion Marc Marquez placed third, with Ai Ogura fourth and championship leader Jorge Martin fifth.

Bezzecchi’s performance was particularly impressive after an early crash at Turn 4. The Italian made contact with the rear of Alex Marquez’s motorcycle before losing control and sliding off the track, with his bike landing on his right leg. The incident forced officials to stop the session temporarily to clear debris and ensure the circuit was safe.

The action was halted again shortly after the restart when a wallaby was spotted hopping across the track. Race officials displayed a second red flag while the animal was removed from the danger area. Once practice resumed, the riders returned to the track for a final push to improve their lap times.

Martin had briefly led following the first interruption, but Bezzecchi regained momentum and moved to the top of the standings. Marc Marquez subsequently became the first rider to break the 1 minute 27-second barrier, only for Fernandez and Bezzecchi to surpass his time before the chequered flag.

The result continued Bezzecchi’s strong run of form after his victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix the previous week. Sitting third in the championship standings, the Italian is looking to maintain his momentum as the season approaches its closing stages.

Martin remains at the top of the championship, holding a narrow two-point advantage over Marquez with five rounds remaining. His fifth-place finish ensured he stayed among the leading contenders, although Bezzecchi’s pace could make the Australian Grand Prix an important opportunity to close the gap.

The top 10 riders in Friday’s session secured direct passage into the second qualifying session on Saturday, giving them an advantage in the fight for strong grid positions for both the sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix. Among those who missed out were Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia and Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who will need to progress through the opening qualifying session.

Friday’s action also featured several crashes during the morning and afternoon sessions. Fernandez, Iker Lecuona and Jack Miller were among those who fell during practice, while Brad Binder experienced a significant engine failure. Miller and Augusto Fernandez, along with Alex Marquez, also crashed during the afternoon running.

This weekend’s event carries added significance as Phillip Island prepares to host its final MotoGP race. The circuit has been a regular fixture on the championship calendar since 1997, but the Australian Grand Prix is scheduled to move to a street circuit in Adelaide next year.

With rain forecast for the weekend, teams will also have to prepare for potentially changing conditions as qualifying and race day approach. Bezzecchi’s strong pace has given Aprilia an encouraging start, but the close gaps among the leading riders suggest that the battle for victory could remain wide open.

Bezzecchi Tops Australian MotoGP Practice After Crash as Wallaby Interrupts Session

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