Bagnaia maintains the dominance of Ducati and Marc Márquez is still far in Portimao

MADRID, 11 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Italian MotoGP rider Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) began the last pre-season tests this Saturday with an important blow to the table at the Algarve International Autodrome, the fastest in a day that showed Aprilia's aerodynamic innovation and kept away of the first to the Spanish Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda).

Reigning world champion Bagnaia dominated the first of the two days in Portimao with a time of 1:38.771, while Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took second place just over two tenths behind his compatriot. The best Spaniard was Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), third, despite the fact that those from Noale focused on testing new parts.

Meanwhile, Ducati newcomer Álex Márquez (Gresini Racing) was fourth. The Desmosedici commanded on the stage of the World Cup premiere at the end of March, although 'Pecco' Bagnaia's teammate, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), was more than a second behind (17th).

For their part, the two Repsol Honda Team riders, Marc Márquez (19th) and Joan Mir (14th), rode with the chassis they tested in Sepang, although with an update that removes part of the material that covers the swingarm pivot. The eight-time world champion rolled quite a bit with the wing and air intake upgrades, but at times he remains a long way from Ducati.

Similarly, Fabio Quartararo's Yamaha trailed by almost a second behind Bagnaia, although he focused on working on the aerodynamic package and left only eighth fastest time. Many tests and one last day of testing this Sunday where it will really be seen where each team is with a view to the start on the 26th.