Miller flashes to the top; Raul Fernandez pays tribute to Valencia: "We always get back up"

There’s a Yamaha, the one in Pramac colors ridden by Jack Miller, leading the first MotoGP free practice session in Valencia. Thus begins the return to the circuit named after Ricardo Tormo after last year’s forced cancellation due to the climate disaster. Following him are the Trackhouse Aprilia duo with wild card Aleix Espargaro in between, under a partly cloudy sky and a temperature of 20° C. Here’s how the opening session of the last GP of the year went.

The Trackhouse Aprilia rider is out on track with a special helmet, a reminder not to forget what the entire Valencian Community went through at the end of 2024, namely the terrible consequences of Cyclone Dana. “Valencia has always been a special place for me” is Raul Fernandez’s comment to explain his helmet’s colors. “Last year, this city went through a difficult time. Streets once full of life ended up underwater. But the people of Valencia showed strength, unity and spirit. This helmet is a tribute to all of them, a symbol of resilience, hope and pride. Because in the end, like Valencia, we always rise again.”

2024 champion Jorge Martin is back in action after putting behind him the latest injury suffered at the Japanese GP. However, he will have to serve a double Long Lap for the crash he caused with teammate Bezzecchi. Also on track are the aforementioned Raul Fernandez, recovered after the crash in the last GP, and Maverick Vinales, already in better condition but still dealing with the consequences of a stubborn shoulder injury from the last round at the Sachsenring. Augusto Fernandez is in action with the Yamaha V4 (there has been no shortage of revelations from Toprak Razgatlioglu’s test) and Aleix Espargaro as a Honda wild card. On track we note Binder’s crash at Turn 8 in the opening minutes of the session. There’s also a “moment” between Alex Marquez, Marini and Bezzecchi, with the Aprilia rider visibly annoyed... Turn 8 also catches out Aldeguer in the final minutes; the checkered flag falls with the Pramac Yamaha of Jack Miller on top.