Marco Bezzecchi set the pace during Friday morning practice at the Mandalika International Circuit, leading Marc Márquez by a narrow margin as the MotoGP World Championship opened the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend.
How Did Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Dominate the Friday Morning Session at Mandalika?
Paddock expectations pointed toward a strong showing from Aprilia on the 4,300-meter Indonesian layout, and the opening practice session validated those predictions. Marco Bezzecchi topped the timesheets for the Noale factory squad, while teammate Jorge Martín slotted into third position. Separating the two Aprilia machines was the Ducati Lenovo Team entry of Marc Márquez, who sits second in the world championship standings just two points behind Martín. Bezzecchi occupies third place in the title race, trailing the leader by 49 points.
Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing finished the morning fourth fastest, remaining within three tenths of a second of Bezzecchi’s leading benchmark. Raúl Fernández placed fifth on a SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team Aprilia, followed by Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio in sixth and seventh. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Fabio Quartararo took eighth, while BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP representatives Fermín Aldeguer and Alex Márquez rounded out the top ten. Two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia struggled to a 13th-place finish for Ducati Lenovo Team, ending the session immediately behind Enea Bastianini of Red Bull KTM Tech3.
https://x.com/MotoGP/status/2108391930199499045
Where Can Fans Watch the 2026 Indonesian Grand Prix on TV and Streaming?
Broadcaster Sky Sport holds live television rights in Italy for the 17th round of the championship, broadcasting the entire race weekend across Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport MotoGP, with live streaming available via NOW and SkyGo, as detailed by La Gazzetta dello Sport. Commentary for the premier class sessions comes from Guido Meda and Mauro Sanchini, supported by pit-lane reporters Sandro Donato Grosso and Giovanni Zamagni, alongside pre- and post-race host Vera Spadini.
Free-to-air broadcaster TV8 provides live coverage of Saturday morning’s qualifying sessions and the 13-lap Sprint race, while Sunday’s full-length Grand Prix airs on a delayed broadcast in Italy. Moto2 and Moto3 sessions receive dedicated commentary teams featuring Rosario Triolo and Mattia Pasini, alongside continuous updates on the all-news channel Sky Sport 24.
https://x.com/HRC_MotoGP/status/2108388596092928035
What Are the Technical Demands of the Mandalika International Circuit?
The Mandalika International Circuit features a clockwise layout measuring 4,300 meters with 17 corners—11 right-handers and six left-handers. La Gazzetta dello Sport notes that the track demands frequent directional changes with a mix of medium-to-high-speed sweeps and tighter technical sections. Riders spend minimal time upright on the short straightaways, where the main start-finish straight stretches just over 700 meters. Primary overtaking opportunities center on the heavy braking zone into Turn 1, Turn 10, and the tight hairpin at Turn 16.
History at the venue includes a surprise victory by Miguel Oliveira for KTM during the track’s inaugural premier-class event, followed by three consecutive wins for Ducati machines: Francesco Bagnaia in 2023, Jorge Martín in 2024, and Fermín Aldeguer in 2025.

What Is the Full Weekend Broadcast and Track Schedule?
Track activity continues, with broadcast schedules aligned across Sky Sport and digital platforms. Friday afternoon features the 60-minute practice session determining the ten direct qualifiers for Q2. Saturday morning brings final practice before qualifying and the afternoon Sprint race, leading up to Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Saturday’s broadcast windows on TV8 open with MotoGP qualifying at 04:50, followed by Moto3 and Moto2 qualifying before the 13-lap Sprint race lights out. Sunday schedules feature the Moto3 race, Moto2 race, and the premier class Grand Prix.
https://x.com/MotoGP/status/2108388967498309893
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Indonesian Grand Prix
- Who won the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika last year?
- Fermín Aldeguer secured victory at Mandalika in 2025, as documented by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
- How many riders advance directly from Friday practice to Q2?
- The ten fastest riders at the conclusion of Friday afternoon’s 60-minute practice session earn direct passage into the Q2 qualifying round, as reported by MotoGP.com.
- What is the length of the Mandalika Sprint race?
- The Saturday afternoon Sprint race at Mandalika covers a distance of 13 laps, according to broadcast schedule data published by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
- Which manufacturer won the inaugural MotoGP race at Mandalika?
- KTM claimed the first premier-class victory at the Indonesian venue, courtesy of Miguel Oliveira, prior to Ducati’s subsequent three-year win streak.
More on La Gazzetta
https://x.com/MotoGP/status/2108400646864990659
https://x.com/MotoGP/status/2108398322423583160