2023 Japanese MotoGP: Friday Practice - LIVE UPDATES

Reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia leads the standings by just 13 points over Jorge Martin after a costly fall in last Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix, where a dominant victory for Marco Bezzecchi moved the VR46 rider to within 44 points of the top.

But the inaugural Buddh event also took its toll on the full-time riders, with two more - Alex Marquez (ribs) and Luca Marini (collarbone) - suffering fractures that will see them join Enea Bastianini in missing this weekend’s Motegi round.

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro continues in place of Bastianini at Ducati, however Alex Rins, sidelined since Mugello in May due to leg fractures, is making his return for LCR Honda this weekend.

Also on track will be Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow, making his first official wild-card appearance since retiring at the end of 2020.

The 37-year-old Englishman made ten starts as a replacement rider for Yamaha during 2021 and 2022, with a best race finish of 12th at Sepang last year.

Joan Mir will have one 2024 Honda prototype this weekend, as debuted at the Misano test, while factory KTM riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller are thought to have the factory's new carbon fibre chassis available.

RobertJones_1

29 Sep 2023

02:40

Joan Mir has a 2024 Honda prototype (powered by the 2023 engine) available this weekend, which he felt helped with used tyre pace at the Misano test. However, team-mate Marc Marquez did not feel an advantage and will stick with the current RC213V.

KTM riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller have the carbon fibre chassis to try, which they previously used at the Misano test after wild-card Dani Pedrosa took it to fourth places in the San Marino MotoGP.

02:38

Back on track this morning will be Alex Rins, for the first time since leg fractures at Mugello in May, and Yamaha wild-card Cal Crutchlow, for the first time since Valencia 2022.

02:37

It's a dry and sunny Motegi for morning practice but weather forecasts warn of rain tomorrow.

02:34