PT GRAND PRIX OF THAILAND
English translation of the original source. Select TH to read the original Thai text.
Lap records fell across the classes on the opening day of PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024, MotoGP's 18th round. Gresini Racing's eight-time world champion Marc Marquez led the premier class and Aron Canet topped Moto2, where Somkiat Chantra finished 14th. Newly crowned champion David Alonso led Moto3.
PT Grand Prix of Thailand 2024 began official practice on Friday, 25 October, as large numbers of fans arrived at Chang International Circuit.
Friday's timed practice determined which ten riders would advance directly to Q2. Gresini Racing's eight-time world champion Marc Marquez topped the session with a Chang International Circuit record of 1 minute 29.165 seconds. He finished 0.110 seconds ahead of Prima Pramac Racing's Jorge Martin and recorded a top speed of 338.5 km/h. Ducati Lenovo's Enea Bastianini was third, 0.162 seconds behind.
Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia finished fourth, 0.195 seconds off the lead. Aprilia Racing's Maverick Vinales was fifth at 0.341 seconds, while LCR Honda's Johann Zarco secured direct entry to Q2 with tenth, 0.517 seconds behind.
Fantic Racing's Aron Canet led Moto2 with a new Chang International Circuit record of 1 minute 35.192 seconds. Marc VDS Racing's Tony Arbolino finished second, 0.218 seconds behind, followed by American Racing's Marcos Ramirez at 0.250 seconds. Championship leader Ai Ogura of MT Helmets–MSI ended the day sixth, 0.452 seconds off the pace.
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia's Somkiat Chantra received medical clearance for the weekend. Although not fully fit, he ended the opening day 14th at 1 minute 35.916 seconds, 0.724 seconds behind the leader.
Moto3 world champion David Alonso of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar led practice at 1 minute 40.703 seconds, having earlier set a circuit record of 1 minute 40.544 seconds in the morning. Honda Team Asia's Thatchakorn Buasri finished 24th at 1 minute 42.315 seconds, 1.612 seconds behind.
Qualifying took place on Saturday morning, 26 October, before the Sprint at 15:00. Sunday's published race programme on 27 October listed Moto3 at 12:00, Moto2 at 13:15 and MotoGP at 15:00, with live coverage on PPTV HD36 and SPOTV.
