Raul Fernandez sets Aprilia MotoGP Mandalika record
Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez ripped through the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit today, October 9, 2026, setting a new MotoGP track record of 1 minute 28.725 seconds. His blistering performance led an Aprilia 1-2-3 during a chaotic, crash-strewn Friday practice session for the Indonesian Grand Prix, firmly establishing the Italian manufacturer as a dominant force early in the Aprilia MotoGP Mandalika race weekend.
Fernandez’s dominant run saw factory Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin slotting into second and third, respectively. They were the only other riders to get within half a second of his remarkable pace, highlighting Aprilia’s strong advantage.
Fernandez Leads Aprilia MotoGP Mandalika Dominance in Indonesia
Raul Fernandez, now in his third year with Trackhouse Racing, delivered a stellar performance that underlined Aprilia’s growing prowess in MotoGP. His record-setting lap provided a clear statement of intent for the team, which operates with direct contractual support from Aprilia.
Marco Bezzecchi, the Italian Grand Prix motorcycle racer known as “Bez,” secured the second spot, 0.219 seconds behind Fernandez. Jorge Martin, the 2024 MotoGP World Champion and also an Aprilia Racing factory rider, completed the top three, finishing 0.481 seconds adrift of Fernandez.
This strong showing comes after MotoGP itself described Mandalika as an Aprilia-favored venue. The circuit’s flowing nature, long-radius corners, and rapid changes of direction play directly into the strengths of the Aprilia RS-GP machine, which has seen significant development.
However, it wasn’t a perfect day for all Aprilia riders. Ai Ogura, who was the reigning Moto2™ World Champion in 2024 and debuted in MotoGP in 2025 with Trackhouse Aprilia, endured a tough outing. After a significant crash in the fast Turn 8 left-hander during the first practice, he finished the afternoon session in 13th, meaning he’ll have to fight through Q1 on Saturday morning.
Track Chaos and Unexpected Qualifiers
The practice sessions were marred by a series of dramatic crashes, highlighting the demanding nature of the Mandalika circuit. Several riders found themselves in the gravel, adding an element of unpredictability to the day’s proceedings. Diogo Moreira, Ai Ogura, and Fermin Aldeguer all crashed during FP1.
Gresini Ducati rider Fermin Aldeguer had a particularly rough day, crashing twice and later facing a mechanical issue. He also reportedly impeded Franco Morbidelli, who managed to qualify ninth fastest despite the incident, and remains under investigation. Jorge Martin, not Aldeguer, won the 2024 Indonesian Grand Prix.
Other notable incidents included Fabio Quartararo’s dramatic off at Turn 8, where he was sent airborne after hitting a lip in the gravel. Despite this scare, the Yamaha rider recovered to secure seventh place and a direct pass to Q2, marking a stronger performance for his team. The demands of high-performance racing often highlight such moments of resilience.
Pedro Acosta of KTM emerged as the best non-Aprilia rider, placing fourth, 0.669 seconds off the pace. Marc Marquez, racing for Ducati, was the top Ducati rider in fifth, just ahead of Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Ducati.
Close Calls for Q2 Qualification
The battle for direct entry into Q2 was tight, with several riders narrowly missing the cut. Alex Rins, Quartararo’s factory Yamaha teammate, crashed at the final corner after improving into the top 10, ultimately finishing 11th, a tenth shy of the cutoff.
Jack Miller, from Pramac Yamaha, was even closer, just 0.007 seconds behind Rins in 12th. The final Q2 berth ultimately went to Pecco Bagnaia on the second factory Ducati, marking his first direct progression to Q2 since the Dutch Grand Prix in June.
Mandalika’s Challenges and Aprilia’s Edge
The Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit, officially inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 12, 2021, presents a unique set of challenges that seemed to play directly into Aprilia’s hands today. Its design combines fast sections with intricate corners, demanding both raw speed and precise handling.
Track conditions were also a major factor. The circuit was resurfaced following the 2025 race, with no prior MotoGP testing on the new asphalt. This, coupled with extreme temperatures, prompted Michelin to provide special heat-resistant, stiffer-construction rear tyres to cope with the demands.
Aprilia’s RS-GP26, featuring redesigned aerodynamics, chassis, and electronics, appears particularly well-suited to these conditions. It represents the latest technological evolution for the current bike generation.
Historical Context at Mandalika
Aprilia has a strong history at Mandalika, a track that MotoGP officially considers “Aprilia-favored.” The venue’s characteristics, which emphasize corner speed and edge grip, align perfectly with the RS-GP’s strengths.
The 2025 season was Aprilia Racing’s most victorious ever, securing a second-place finish in the Manufacturers’ Championship. This historical performance, combined with the new RS-GP26, sets a high bar for their current campaign.
Rider Fortunes: Comebacks and Continuing Struggles
Friday’s practice provided a snapshot of contrasting fortunes for several riders. While some found their stride, others faced significant hurdles, underscoring the relentless pressure of MotoGP competition.
Aleix Espargaro, a veteran rider, made his return to MotoGP as a replacement for Honda HRC Castrol, stepping in for Joan Mir who is out due to medical advice. Joan Mir is recovering from an undisclosed illness, and Takaaki Nakagami was injured at Motegi, leading to Espargaro’s call-up.
Espargaro had fractured four vertebrae in a private Honda test back in April 2026, making Mandalika his first race weekend since the 2025 season finale.
Despite his comeback, Espargaro finished 22nd in FP1, illustrating the challenge of returning to peak form after a serious injury. Managing a return to practice after such an incident requires immense mental and physical resilience.
Marc Marquez’s Mixed Mandalika Record
Marc Marquez, a key championship contender, demonstrated flashes of speed but continues a somewhat challenging relationship with the Mandalika circuit. He finished fifth in the afternoon practice, a respectable showing as the best Ducati rider.
However, Marquez has never completed the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika, having retired or been unable to start in four previous visits. His history includes a severe highside in 2022, crashes in both the Sprint and Grand Prix in 2023, and a fractured shoulder after a collision in 2025.
During the current Friday sessions, he crashed twice in FP1, continuing his mixed fortunes at the circuit.
The Road Ahead: Q1 and Race Weekend Outlook
With Friday’s practice sessions concluded, attention now shifts to Saturday’s qualifying, which promises to be an intense affair. Riders who missed direct Q2 entry, like Ai Ogura, will face a critical Q1 session.
The strong performance from Aprilia, particularly Raul Fernandez, puts them in an excellent position heading into qualifying and the main race. Their ability to adapt quickly to the resurfaced track and the special Michelin tyres has given them a distinct advantage.
The championship battle between Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez also remains a key narrative. Martin currently leads the 2026 MotoGP World Championship with 333 points, just two points ahead of Marquez, who sits on 331. Every session here in Mandalika could prove pivotal in this tight race for the title.
The crashes witnessed today serve as a stark reminder of the fine margins in MotoGP, where one mistake can derail a weekend. Teams and riders will be poring over data to refine setups and minimize risks as they prepare for the crucial qualifying rounds and Sunday’s Grand Prix.