Alex Márquez climbs to fourth in German GP practice as Ducati dominates
Alex Márquez surged to fourth place in Friday practice for the German Grand Prix on 18 Jun 2024, posting a 1m20.104s lap that kept him within a second of the session leader. The Spanish rider on the Gresini Ducati showed the pace needed to challenge the front‑runners as Ducati riders locked the top three spots.
The hour‑long practice began with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi flashing a 1m20.646s time, briefly nudging ahead of Trackhouse’s Raúl Fernández. Bezzecchi’s early speed forced the Italian manufacturers to trade the lead with Ducati throughout the session. Midway through, Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 lowered the benchmark to 1m20.104s, a time that Alex Márquez matched to climb into fourth.
When Marc Márquez, the reigning champion, finally broke the sub‑1:20 barrier with a 1m19.394s lap, he secured the top spot. Ducati’s Jack Miller followed in fifth, while Aprilia’s Bezzecchi, Di Giannantonio, and Fernández filled the podium places. Alex Márquez, riding the Gresini Ducati, settled just behind them, edging out Fernández’s late flying lap that placed the Spaniard in second.
Finishing fourth in a practice session dominated by factory Ducati machines signals that Alex Márquez can extract competitive lap times from his Gresini bike. The narrow gap-just a tenth‑and‑a‑half behind the leader-demonstrates his ability to stay within striking distance of the championship‑contending riders. It also positions him well for qualifying, where a strong grid slot could translate into a podium finish on the Sachsenring.
Jack Miller’s impressive fifth‑place lap for Pramac Yamaha highlighted the Yamaha’s resurgence, while Aprilia’s trio-Ai Ogura, Bezzecchi, and Jorge Martín-rounded out the top ten. KTM’s Pedro Acosta settled in ninth, six tenths off the pace, and Francesco Bagnaia, the Ducati champion, struggled to 13th after a late yellow flag caused by Enea Bastianini’s crash at Turn 9. The field’s spread underscores the competitive balance heading into Saturday’s qualifying.
With qualifying on Saturday, Alex Márquez will aim to convert his practice momentum into a strong grid position. A top‑four start could set him up for a solid race, especially if the Gresini Ducati continues to deliver consistent lap times. The Spanish rider’s performance also adds pressure on the factory Ducati squad, which will need to manage internal competition while defending their dominance.
Marc Márquez’s sub‑1:20 lap reaffirms his championship aspirations, but Alex Márquez’s proximity to the leaders suggests a tighter points race. If the Gresini rider can maintain this pace, he could become a regular points scorer, influencing the midfield dynamics and potentially stealing podiums from the factory teams.
Fans should keep an eye on the start‑line order, especially how Alex Márquez lines up against the Ducati trio and the Aprilia challengers. The Sachsenring’s tight corners and fast straights will test bike setup, and any slip‑ups could reshuffle the pack. Expect a battle for the lead in the opening laps, with Alex Márquez looking to stay within striking distance.
Alex Márquez’s fourth‑place practice result on 18 Jun 2024 demonstrates his growing confidence on the Gresini Ducati. The Spaniard’s ability to stay within a second of the session leader bodes well for his upcoming qualifying and race performance, making him a rider to watch as the German GP unfolds.