02:41
Session over. Francesco Bagnaia stays fastest from Pedro Acosta with Maverick Vinales and Fabio di Giannantonio moving up to a late third and fourth.
Qualifying 1 next.
Marc Marquez, 2024 Japanese MotoGP
2024 Japanese MotoGP: Sprint as it happened
Updates from Saturday’s sprint at the 2024 Japanese MotoGP as it happened.
After another dramatic weekend in Mandalika, 21 points separate Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia heading into the Japanese MotoGP.
Martin might have celebrated his first grand prix victory since Le Mans in May but an opening lap mistake by the Pramac rider in the Sprint meant Bagnaia still left Indonesia three points closer in the title fight.
Martin did the double at Motegi last year, winning a dry Sprint ahead of KTM’s Brad Binder before beating Bagnaia in the soaking wet grand prix, red-flagged after 12 laps due to the conditions.
Wet weather is again forecast during the 2024 event.
A Sunday crash in Mandalika for Enea Bastianini and engine failure for Marc Marquez have left their title hopes hanging by a thread, although they start this weekend just three points apart in the fight for third.
Marquez took his final Honda podium at Motegi last year.
Mandalika runner-up Pedro Acosta could again prove a thorn in the side of the Ducatis, while Binder will be looking to wrestle fifth in the standings back from his future team-mate.
Jack Miller was on the front row a year ago and is one to watch if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
The stop-and-go circuit will be a test of Aprilia’s braking progress, with Yamaha and Honda aiming to continue their top ten momentum in front of the factory bosses.
Pedro Acosta will start on pole after a track limits penalty denied Marc Marquez. Bagnaia is second, while a crash left Martin 11th.
The 12-lap Sprint race starts at 3pm (7am UK).
02:39
Replays show Zarco's RC213V being smashed to pieces as it cartwheeled through the gravel trap. Fortunately the Frenchman was unharmed.
Meanwhile, Jorge Martin has run through the gravel after missing his braking at Turn 3.
02:37
LCR's Johann Zarco is the first MotoGP faller of the day, trudging through the gravel at turn 6.
02:34
Speaking of consistency, Bagnaia is putting in a strong run on the hard front and soft rear tyres, improving with each lap. The Ducati rider has now done 10 laps on these tyres. The Sprint distance is 12 laps and Grand Prix distance 24 laps.
02:34
Tyre drop, front and rear, was an issue for many riders on Friday with the likes of Jorge Martin very happy on fresh tyres but concerned by how quickly the grip and feeling then seemed to fade away.
02:31
Bagnaia goes back to the top with a 1m 44.887s, with Bezzecchi inproving to 13th.
02:30
Bagnaia overtakes Bezzecchi, who is only 22nd. The VR46 rider now gets a golden chance to follow the reigning champion and pick up his pace in the damp.
02:25
Order halfway through final practice: Martin, M.Marquez, Acosta, Miller, Mir, Bagnaia, A.Marquez, Binder, A.Espargaro, Morbidelli, Zarco, Quartararo, A.Fernandez, di Giannantonio, Marini, Nakagami, Bastianini, Rins, R.Fernandez, Savadori, Vinales, Bezzecchi, Gardner.
02:23
Bagnaia pits and gestures at the dash of his Ducati in frustration, presumably some kind of warning message.
Marc Marquez is now fastest with a 1m 45.230s, ahead of Pedro Acosta, Jack Miller, Joan Mir and Bagnaia.
02:19
All riders are using the soft rear tyre, with a mix of front compounds.
02:18
The improvements continue with Francesco Bagnaia now leading Miller with a 1m 45.5s.
02:16
Jack Miller, one of the best in damp conditions, sets a low 1m 46s.
02:16
Brad Binder's best Friday time was a 1m 43.436s, Jorge Martin currently leads final practice with a 1m 47.777s.
02:14
Riders are all on slick tyres, but the track is still visibly damp.
02:12
MotoGP final practice is underway, the last chance for riders to work on race set-up before this afternoon's Sprint.
02:10
To recap, Brad Binder was fastest for KTM, ahead of Marc Marquez and title leader Jorge Martin in Friday practice.
However, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia and especially rookie Pedro Acosta were looking exceptionally strong on used tyres.
02:06
It's another damp start for day two of the Japanese MotoGP but the heavy rain forecast is yet to materialise.
Moto2 riders could fit slick tyres at the end of their final practice session.
The 30-minute MotoGP final practice begins at 10:10 local time.
