The practice session unfolded under heavy rain, just as forecasted, creating the perfect opportunity for riders specializing in wet conditions to showcase their skills. Among them was Marc Márquez, known for his ability to perform in challenging weather.

However, the Ducati rider found himself in trouble early on, as he was violently thrown off his Desmosedici at Turn 2, barely ten minutes into the session. This marked his first crash of the official season, though Márquez had previously suffered falls during pre-season testing while adapting to the Ducati machine. Despite the severity of the crash, Márquez appeared unharmed and quickly returned to the track to continue putting in impressive laps.

The standout performer of the session, however, was Franco Morbidelli. The Ducati rider topped the timesheets with the fastest lap, narrowly edging out Jack Miller of Pramac Yamaha by 0.083 seconds. Márquez, despite his earlier fall, managed to secure third place, trailing Morbidelli by 0.25 seconds.

Johann Zarco (LCR Honda) and Pedro Acosta (KTM) completed the top five, both demonstrating their strong abilities in wet conditions. The current championship contenders, Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) and Alex Márquez (Gresini Ducati), finished sixth and seventh, respectively, maintaining a solid presence within the leading pack.

KTM had further reason to celebrate, as Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder ensured that the Austrian manufacturer had three bikes inside the top nine. Meanwhile, Augusto Fernandez, stepping in for the injured Miguel Oliveira at Pramac, put in a commendable performance, finishing tenth in his first official outing for the team.

While Ducati and KTM flourished in the wet, Aprilia endured a dismal session despite having won at COTA the previous year with Viñales. Reigning champion Jorge Martín, still recovering from an injury, was present at the circuit to observe and prepare for his upcoming debut with Aprilia in Lusail. However, his teammate Marco Bezzecchi faced numerous difficulties, suffering technical issues on both his bikes. His woes were compounded when he was thrown off his RS-GP at Turn 5 in a highside crash, with his bike striking him on the back as he slid into the gravel.

Bezzecchi’s struggles, however, paled in comparison to the nightmare experienced by Ai Ogura of Trackhouse Aprilia. The Japanese rookie endured a disastrous session, finishing a staggering nine seconds off the pace. His struggles were attributed to an underperforming engine that failed to reach optimal temperature in the wet conditions, significantly hindering his performance.

As the session concluded, the teams and riders faced contrasting fortunes. Ducati and KTM emerged as the dominant forces, showcasing their adaptability in wet conditions, while Aprilia’s troubles cast a shadow over their preparations for the upcoming races. With COTA setting the stage for another unpredictable race weekend, all eyes now turn to the main event, where riders will seek to build on their performances or bounce back from their setbacks.

For Marc Márquez, his early crash was a reminder of the fine margins in MotoGP, but his ability to recover and secure a top-three finish highlighted his resilience. Meanwhile, Franco Morbidelli’s strong showing reinforced his credentials as a formidable contender in challenging conditions. As the championship battle intensifies, the unpredictability of MotoGP continues to provide thrilling narratives, ensuring that each session brings new drama and excitement for fans around the world.