Zarco Sets the Pace in Rain-Soaked Brazilian MotoGP Practice

Goiania, Brazil – Johann Zarco of LCR Honda topped the timesheets in a challenging first practice session for the MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix on Friday, navigating a rain-soaked Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna. The session, delayed and disrupted by persistent showers, saw several riders experience difficulties with grip and control, resulting in multiple crashes.

The delayed hour-long practice began with riders cautiously venturing out on slick tires, anticipating the arrival of rain. Marc Marquez initially set the pace with a lap time of 1 minute 24.804 seconds, but Zarco quickly responded, ultimately securing the fastest time of the day with a 1:21.257. The unpredictable conditions kept riders on their toes throughout the session.

Wet Conditions Cause Chaos

The wet track proved treacherous, leading to falls for several competitors. Brad Binder, Jack Miller, and local favorite Diogo Moreira all crashed in Turn 4 early in the session, highlighting the difficulty of finding grip. These incidents underscored the challenges posed by the evolving track conditions.

As the rain intensified, most riders returned to the pits, and the track remained largely empty for over 20 minutes. With the weather showing no signs of improvement, few riders ventured back out before the session concluded. Zarco’s earlier time remained unchallenged, securing him the top spot.

Toprak Razgatlioglu Impresses, Bezzecchi Struggles

Behind Zarco, reigning World Champion Marc Marquez secured second place on his Ducati, demonstrating his adaptability to the challenging conditions. Pramac Racing’s Toprak Razgatlioglu continued to impress in his rookie season, claiming third position. Jorge Martin rounded out the top four, while Pedro Acosta of Red Bull KTM finished fifth.

However, the session wasn’t without its disappointments. Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi found himself struggling in the wet conditions and will head straight to Q1 qualifying as a result. The unpredictable nature of the weather meant that several established riders faced an uphill battle to secure a direct spot in Q2.

Full Practice Results

Zarco’s strong performance provides a boost for the LCR Honda team, especially at a recent circuit for MotoGP. The Frenchman’s ability to quickly adapt to the conditions and extract the maximum from his machine demonstrates his skill, and experience. The Goiania layout, new to the calendar, appears to suit his riding style.

The Brazilian Grand Prix marks the second round of the 2026 MotoGP season, and the unpredictable weather adds an extra layer of complexity to the weekend. Qualifying on Saturday will be crucial, as riders battle for the best grid positions ahead of Sunday’s race. The conditions are expected to remain changeable, potentially leading to another exciting and unpredictable session.

Fans can follow all the action live on MotoGP’s official website and social media channels. The next practice session is scheduled for Saturday morning, local time (UTC-3), with qualifying to follow in the afternoon. The race itself is set to take place on Sunday afternoon, promising a thrilling spectacle for MotoGP fans around the world.

The performance of Zarco and Marquez will be closely watched, as they appear to build on their strong start to the weekend. Meanwhile, riders like Bezzecchi will be aiming to recover from a challenging Friday and fight their way through Q1 to secure a competitive starting position. The stage is set for a captivating weekend of MotoGP action in Brazil.