Italian Marco Bezzecchi has destroyed the Phillip Island lap record in a blistering Australian MotoGP practice.<\/p>\n
In a stunning performance in perfect conditions on Friday, Bezzecchi became the first MotoGP rider to go under 1.27 at the regional Victorian track.<\/p>\n
The Aprilia ace recorded a time of 1.26.492, smashing injured teammate Jorge Martin’s 2023 record of 1.27.246.<\/p>\n
Bezzecchi first went 1.26.580, but ended the 60-minute session by going even faster.<\/p>\n
Making Bezzecchi’s performance more impressive is that he is coming off a serious crash at the Indonesian GP on October 5 which took out world champion Marc Marquez.<\/p>\n
As Marquez sits out this weekend recovering from his injuries, Bezzecchi was penalised for his role in the carnage at Mandalika.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old’s chances of winning the Australian MotoGP on Sunday appeared doomed as he will need to serve a double long-lap penalty in the race.<\/p>\n
Bezzecchi wasn’t the only one to make the most of the conditions at Phillip Island, with four other riders going under 1.27.<\/p>\n
Australian Jack Miller set a hot pace on Friday morning in free practice as he went fastest, but could only manage 13th in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
Miller has endured a difficult season, the Yamaha rider sitting 18th in the championship standings.<\/p>\n