Martín and Viñales challenge each other at Márquez's ranch | The truth

As is usual on the first day of the Grand Prix, in the last minutes of the afternoon training all the drivers looked for a fast lap to finish in the top ten and thus ensure their direct presence in Q2 on Saturday. Martín only needed one attempt to destroy the time and earn his place in the final qualifying round. His time, 2'01.397, meant lowering the absolute circuit record by almost half a second, with a newly paved route in some areas that he put on his side. But the one from San Sebastián de los Reyes no longer needed to use another set of new tires because he knew that this record was enough for him.

It seemed that Martín's time was unattainable until Viñales himself appeared, who in his last attempt was just 76 thousandths away from the new record, also demonstrating his strength in one lap and presenting his candidacy for pole position on Saturday. And if there was one thing that had been made clear on Friday, it was that the two strong men in Austin were Martín and Viñales.

But this is Texas and until not so long ago this circuit had a 'sheriff' in the figure of Marc Márquez, who between 2013 and 2021 did not leave a single crumb behind. The one from Cervera took the first day of training with caution. In the morning he finished eighth and in the afternoon he pushed until the last second to set his best time and finish the day in third position. Of course, more than four tenths behind Martín's time. For now, Márquez is ready to fight for that long-awaited Sunday podium with two-time champion Pecco Bagnaia, fourth this Friday, with a record almost identical to Marc's.

Another bite of the 'Shark'

On a track where the Ducati dominated with authority, placing seven of their eight machines in the top ten; and in which the only real alternative seems to be the Aprilia (Aleix Espargaró finished sixth), the 'rookie' Pedro Acosta slipped into the top of the classification, which no longer surprises anyone. The Murcian was very alive in the final moments of the session and looked for Bagnaia's wheel, to achieve the fifth best time of the day and be the only KTM that has already earned its place in Q2. On a circuit as difficult and different as the one in Austin, the one from Mazarrón showed that he is made of different stuff and that he can dream again of the podium like the one he already achieved in Portimao.

Outside of the 'top 10' that gave direct access to Q2 were the Aprilia satellites of Miguel Oliveria and Raúl Fernández, who race at home since their team, Trackhouse Racing, is the only American in the category. And also Álex Márquez, 13th, who suffered a fall in the morning and who missed the start of this Las Américas grand prix.

The little Márquez will be the only Ducati present in the Q1 play-off, where he will try to get the two tickets for Q2 against the KTMs of Brad Binder, second in the championship, or Jack Miller. For their part, the Japanese factories disappointed again, closing the time table on Friday: Quartararo and Rins (17th and 18th with the Yamaha) and Johann Zarco, Joan Mir, Luca Marini and Takaaki Nakagami, the last four with the Hondas.

First day also for the small categories of the world championship where there was also a lot of Spanish prominence. In Moto3 the fastest was the Colombian Hispanic David Alonso, ahead of José Antonio Rueda, Ángel Piqueras, the leader Dani Holgado and Iván Ortolá. While in Moto2, Fermín Aldeguer absolutely dominated, with a circuit record included, and Sergio García finished second. The leader, Arón Canet, could only finish tenth after suffering a fall in the last moments of the session when he was looking for time with new tires.