Alex Marquez made the best possible start to life on a Ducati as he led proceedings in the opening practice session for the Portuguese Grand Prix ahead of Joan Mir.
The session started off slow due to light rain coating the Algarve International Circuit, with only VR46 pair Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini – as well as Pramac’s Johann Zarco – electing to brave the slippery track to post times, the conditions highlighted by a crash from Yamaha’s Franco Morbidelli as the Italian high-sided out of Turn 5.
The track began to dry out as the session reached mid-distance though, with Jack Miller moving to the top of the timing chart on his KTM with a 1:41.520s.
Jorge Martin managed to find good grip on the ever-improving surface though as he set three-consecutive fastest efforts, his 1:39.206s leaving him a decent way clear of the rest.
Marquez was on the prowl however as he managed to gradually build up his confidence having started slowly on the slicker circuit, the Spaniard firing in a storming 1:38.782s to snatch away the top spot as the clock ticked down.
Joan Mir ended up an impressive second on his Honda having threatened Marquez in the latter stages, though a weaker final split meant he slotted into the runners-up spot just 0.045s down on the Gresini pilot.
VR46 duo Marini and Bezzecchi continued their strong pre-season form to end the opening practice outing of the year in third and fourth respectively, while Zarco lifted himself up to fifth at the end.
Maverick Vinales was sixth for Aprilia just ahead of Martin, while Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo was a solid eighth – the Frenchman lapping just 0.499s adrift of Marquez’s benchmark despite running a used medium rear tyre rather than switch to new rubber like his front-running rivals.
Defending MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia was ninth on his Ducati, with the sister factory Honda of Marc Marquez completing the top ten.
Jack Miller ended FP1 as the highest-placed KTM rider in 12th as the Austrian brand continued to struggle for ultimate pace, the Aussie around seven-tenths-of-a-second from Marquez’s effort.
Freshly-signed factory Ducati man Enea Bastianini was 15th ahead of RNF Aprilia pairing Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez, while Augusto Fernandez – the sole rookie in the 2023 field – showed encouraging speed in 19th, the 2022 Moto2 world champion just ahead of GasGas team-mate Pol Espargaro as well as 22nd-placed KTM factory ace Brad Binder.
Keyword: Marquez heads Mir in opening Portimao practice