2024 MotoGP Qatar Test: Ducati's Pecco Bagnaia Dominant Day 1, Martin Close Behind

On the first day of the last 2024 pre-season test in Qatar, incumbent MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia beat out Jorge Martin, his title contender from 2023, to become the fastest rider. Most riders started the day slowly because the track wasn't in the best shape. The Losail International Circuit, however, saw more representative action as the sun dipped below the horizon. Aprilia riders showed off their skills all day long, but the Aprilia RS-GP really shined on the dusty Lusail circuit's low-grip surfaces. During the latter, cooler hours, the Ducatis emerged on top thanks to the track's improved traction.

The day's best time was 1 minute and 52.04 seconds, set by Francesco Bagnaia aboard his GP24 Ducati. he is just four-tenths of a second off the lap record. Following up on Ducati's good performance with its new bike in the earlier Sepang test, Bagnaia led a Ducati 1-2 with Jorge Martin of Pramac as the race reached the end of 51 laps.

MotoGP: Day 1 Qatar Test Result 

Aleix Espargaro spearheaded the Aprilia attack and finished in fifth place. Three Aprilia RS-GPs occupied the top three positions for a while. Trackhouse Racing's Raul Fernandez, who started the day in 12th place, finished the day in an outstanding sixth place, right behind his factory teammates. As the Noale plant adjusted its 2024 preparations, Miguel Oliveira, concentrated on development and finished lower in the order.

At the six-hour mark, Francesco Bagnaia continued to show his dominance with a strong lap of 1 minute and 52.04 seconds, which he maintained until the session ended at 9 o'clock in the evening local time. Aleix Espargaro continued to demonstrate the skills of the new Aprilia, securing third position, while Jorge Martin finished 0.220 seconds behind in second after completing 58 laps.

In fourth place, down by just 0.296 seconds, was Brad Binder of KTM. Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding the 2023-spec Ducati VR46, took fifth position. Sixth place went to Maverick Vinales, while third place went to Alex Marquez of Gresini, who was involved in an accident on Monday. The top ten was completed by Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco of LCR Honda, and Ducati's Enea Bastianini.

The factory Honda team was headed by Joan Mir in thirteenth place, with KTM's Jack Miller following in second place after a late-race collision. The fifteenth position was won by rookie Pedro Acosta. On the sibling Gresini Ducati, Marc Marquez got off to a quiet start and finished sixteenth, 0.919 seconds behind the leaders after fifty-eight laps.

Factory Yamaha rider Alex Rins finished 19th, and Tech3 rider Augusto Fernandez crashed on Monday, putting him in 20th place. After a test training crash before Sepang, Franco Morbidelli was unable to return for the Qatar test, therefore Ducati test rider Michele Pirro filled in for him.