Top favorite Marc Marquez starts the weekend with fastest time – Crashes for Johann Zarco and Pedro Acosta – Alex Marquez 0.9 seconds behind
Marc Marquez (Ducati) lived up to his role as favorite at the start of the German weekend at the Sachsenring, setting the fastest time in the first practice session. Jack Miller (Pramac-Yamaha) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) were the closest challengers on new tires.
The morning practice took place under cloudy skies and cool temperatures. Everyone rode with medium rear tires. After 20 minutes, Johann Zarco (LCR-Honda) caused the first yellow flags with a crash in Turn 1. The Frenchman was unharmed.
At this point, Marc Marquez led the timing with a six-tenths of a second advantage. His brother Alex rode with a larger left glove to provide additional padding on the inside after his injury. Step by step, the World Championship runner-up built up his speed.
As always, Marc Marquez completed the morning practice on one set of tires, while some riders switched to new Michelin tires for the final run. But despite this, no one was able to beat his best time of 1:20.372 minutes, which he set on his seventh lap.
With fresh tires, Miller came within 0.109 seconds of this time. Aprilia spearhead Bezzecchi also opted for new tires and finished the practice session in third place, three tenths of a second behind.
Zarco was naturally also riding with new tires after his crash on his second bike, but the Le Mans winner was already half a second behind in fourth place. KTM spearhead Maverick Vinales (Tech3) followed in fifth.
That went super early for @JohannZarco1 GermanGP pic.twitter.com/Vxn16NOD5T
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) July 11, 2025
Pedro Acosta (KTM) crashed at the end of his final lap in the Omega corner (turn 3). The Spaniard had not changed tires and was in 13th place. Sixth place went to Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46-Ducati).
Joan Mir (Honda) took seventh place, followed by Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), and Miguel Oliveira (Pramac-Yamaha). Bagnaia, like his teammate Marc Marquez, completed 23 laps (with medium tires front and rear).
Last year’s winner Bagnaia was seven tenths of a second behind. Marc Marquez continued the comparison tests between the old and new fairings, while Bagnaia stuck with the aerodynamics from the start of the season. Instead, the Italian tried out the new chassis.
Alex Marquez completed 19 laps and was 0.9 seconds behind. After an initial check, MotoGP doctor Angel Charte left the Gresini pit. Luca Marini (Honda) covered the same distance on his comeback and was one second behind.
Late crash for @37_pedroacosta GermanGP pic.twitter.com/VDxejTWyk7
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) July 11, 2025
Only 20 riders will be competing at the Sachsenring. Rookie Somkiat Chantra (LCR-Honda) has to take a break after suffering a knee injury and undergoing surgery. Enea Bastianini (Tech3-KTM) has been diagnosed with appendicitis.
The inflammation is being treated with antibiotics in Italy to avoid surgery. On Friday morning, Tech3 team manager Nicolas Goyon did not completely rule out the possibility of Bastianini traveling to Germany after all, but said the chances were slim.
Afternoon practice begins at 3:00 p.m., when the important Q2 spots will be decided.
