Alex Marquez posted the fastest time on his Ducati-Gresini in Friday's qualifying practice for the Portuguese MotoGP which was disrupted by light rain.
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The Spaniard, already assured of finishing second in the championship this season, was 0.030 seconds faster than Italy's former double world champion Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati.
KTM's Pedro Acosta finished third with Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia fourth.
In the riders' championship, only five points separate Italy's Bezzecchi, third overall, from his compatriot Bagnaia, in fourth –- with as many as 37 points up for grabs on Saturday now and Sunday.
With two rounds remaining this season, Acosta is still in contention for a final podium finish -– but he trails by 31 points.
Injured Spaniard Marc Marquez, already assured of the title in the premier category, and his compatriot, 2024 world champion Jorge Martin of Aprilia, did not make the trip to Portugal.