Brad Binder led the MotoGP field on Friday at the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia with a 1:38.141.
He was closely followed by Pedro Acosta.
What happened?
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team had a strong day, with Binder and Acosta at the top of the leaderboard.
Alex Marquez was the closest challenger in P3.
Why it matters for Brad Binder
Binder's performance is significant, as he finished ahead of top riders like Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.
Bagnaia will face Q1 on Saturday.
What comes next?
The field will chase KTM in Catalonia on Saturday, with big names like Bagnaia, Martin, and Quartararo competing in Q1.
Binder's lead sets the stage for an exciting qualifying session.
The practice session saw several riders improve their times, with Enea Bastianini climbing to the top with 15 minutes to go.
Marc Marquez then took the lead with a 1:38.444.
Binder and Acosta were consistent throughout the session, with Binder eventually taking the top spot.
The South African rider's performance puts him in a strong position for the rest of the weekend.
The Monster Energy Grand Prix of Catalonia continues on Saturday, with qualifying and the main race taking place.
Brad Binder will look to build on his strong performance and secure a good starting position.
The top 10 riders on Friday were Binder, Acosta, Bezzecchi, Marquez, Bastianini, Morbidelli, Zarco, Marini, and Ogura.
These riders will be looking to improve their times and secure a good position on the grid.
The competition is expected to be fierce, with several top riders competing for a spot on the podium.
Brad Binder's lead on Friday sets the stage for an exciting weekend of racing.