Alex Marquez targets Aragon pole and sprint

Alex Marquez was just 0.010 seconds off the fastest time in Friday practice for the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix. The Gresini Ducati rider has set a clear target for Saturday: pole position and victory in the sprint race.

Marquez's time-attack lap broke the previous Motorland Aragon circuit record. He finished behind VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi, with the top three all dipping under the old benchmark.

Practice Performance and Tyre Focus

When asked about his Friday, Marquez pointed to specific challenges. "Yes, yes, not bad. I think we started well this morning," he told Motorsport.com. "The grip here is good, but for me, not so much the rear tyre, but rather the front, how to get in, how to brake, how to enter fast, that's where I lose a little more, especially with the locking I have on the front wheel."

He explained that those issues accounted for the tiny margin that kept him from the top spot. The team made progress in the afternoon session. "In the afternoon we made a very important step in that regard, and I think we showed a little how to work or how to get the most out of the bike here," Marquez said.

Despite his strong pace, Marquez feels a gap remains. "But I feel that I'm still a little far from Marc and Bezzecchi, who have something more," he admitted. "It's difficult to compare because we don't use the same tyres, so it's difficult to understand, but the feeling is that we're still one step behind them."

Close Competition and Saturday Forecast

The closeness of the top times did not surprise the Spaniard. "It didn't surprise me," said Marquez. "Normally on Fridays it's even tighter, there are fewer differences." He noted that his brother, Marc Marquez of the Repsol Honda team, had not used a second soft tyre and would likely have improved.

Marquez anticipates a fast qualifying session on Saturday. "I think tomorrow pole will be quite fast in the morning with lower temperatures," he predicted. "There has been a big change in grip from morning to afternoon, so it will be a very fast Q2."

With the practice results setting a positive tone, Marquez's ambition is straightforward. "The goal tomorrow is to take pole and win the sprint," he stated. The current standings show every point is crucial as the season develops.

Friday's practice times for the top riders were exceptionally close, all under the previous track record set by Marc Marquez. The session highlighted the intense competition expected for the rest of the weekend at Motorland.

Team strategies and tyre management will be key factors in the upcoming sessions. Riders will be checking the fixtures for precise session times as they prepare for the battle ahead.