The duel is known and expected. In the absence of Marc Marquez, who is still a loser, the Algarve Grand Prix is ​​already having a duel. Since Friday morning, the two best drivers of the season have doubled at the top of the list with one constant: World Champion Fabio Quartaro is the fastest at the finish.

As is this morning, the Frenchman has always sailed in the first places of these Algarve racing free practices, imprinting a very strong tempo, validating a solid tire pass in the back, while executing a time attack in goodness. time (1’39”390). Behind him, Bagnaia is better than the others (0”132) ahead of his Ducati teammate, Jack Miller (0”221).

The Australian, who is still playing on the final podium at the World Championships, is ahead of direct rivals Joan Mir (4th at 0’290) and Johann Zarco (sixth at 0’499). The Frenchman, who was a bit late in the morning, reacted well this afternoon, proving he turned his head to the right in the wake of his fifth place finish from Misano.

The plight of Valentino Rossi

Paul Espargaro (5th at 0”402), Alex Marquez (7th at 0”652), Alex Espargaro (8th at 0”679), Takaaki Nakagami (9th at 0”732) and Alex Raines (10th at 0″ 786) has currently completed the top ten, synonymous with direct qualification for the second quarter, on Saturday.

On the other hand, Valentino Rossi’s farewell round is still an ordeal for the Italian driver, who is penultimate in free practice at the moment, ahead of his teammate Andrea Dovizioso.