Marc Marquez fastest in pre-qualifying in Austria, Bagnaia third

After the summer break, the MotoGP world championship restarts under the banner of Marc Marquez . The Spaniard, Ducati 's leader in the championship standings , was the fastest in pre-qualifying for the Austrian GP , the thirteenth round of the championship.

The Aprilias will have to go through Q1

Marquez, who has never won at Spielberg on the Red Bull Ring in his career, lapped in 1'28"117, ahead of the KTM of compatriot Pedro Acosta (+0.228) and the other factory Ducati of Pecco Bagnaia (+0.268), winner of the last three editions of the GP. Also qualifying directly for Q2 are Alex Marquez (Ducati Gresini), Raul Fernandez (Aprilia Trackhouse), Joan Mir (Honda), Franco Morbidelli (Ducati VR46), Johann Zarco (Honda), Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati Gresini) and Brad Binder (KTM). Bastianini, Quartararo, Di Giannantonio and the Aprilias of Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin will have to go through Q1 . Maverick Vinales ' participation in the races is doubtful, as he is returning from shoulder surgery following the crash in Germany. The Spanish KTM rider finished pre-qualifying early.

The program for Saturday and Sunday

Moto3 free practice is scheduled for 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, followed by Moto2 at 9:25 a.m. and MotoGP at 10:10 a.m., followed by MotoGP Q1 and Q2 at 10:50 a.m. Qualifying continues: Moto3 at 12:50 p.m., Moto2 at 1:45 p.m. The MotoGP sprint race gets underway at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, the Moto3 race starts at 11:00 a.m., Moto2 at 12:15 p.m., and MotoGP at 2:00 p.m.