Binder leads second practice as KTM threatens Ducati’s dominance

Brad Binder was fastest for KTM Factory Racing today in second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, while Ducati title rivals Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia also booked their places in Saturday’s second qualifying session.

With Pedro Acosta (Tech 3 KTM) fourth fastest in the dry second session, there were indications that Ducati will not have it all their own way this weekend. The KTMs showed that they can give the Italian bikes their money’s worth at top speed, an important benchmark on this track.

Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Ducati) clocked a late finish to set the second fastest, 0.033 seconds behind Binder’s lap of 1:43.436.

This is despite the Spaniard appearing frustrated and animated in the garage for much of the day, which started with an indistinct wet sob of a Free Exercise 1.

Martin (Pramac) was third fastest, while his nearest championship chaser Bagnaia (Ducati Team) was only seventh.

Enea Bastianini, the third rider in the World Cup standings, lost the front of his Ducati at high speed halfway through the session.

While the Italian emerged unscathed from the crash at Turn 14, his bike tumbled through the gravel and suffered significant damage. He did well to return to action before the checkered flag and ensure that he would be in Q2 with the fifth fastest time.

Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) was sixth fastest, ahead of Bagnaia, Alex Marquez (Gresini) and the VR46 Ducati duo of Fabio di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi.

Home rider Takaaki Nakagami, racing in Japan for the last time as a full-time MotoGP racer, had his LCR Honda in the top 10 until the very last minute, but was dropped to 12th at the last minute.

A frustrated Jack Miller (KTM) was unable to capitalize on the RC16’s pace after crashing in the final five minutes and had to settle for 11th on the timesheets.

Franco Morbidelli (Pramac) and Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha Factory Racing) completed a top 14 that was covered within one second.

MotoGP Japanese GP – Second practice results: