Fabio Di Giannantonio set a Sachsenring lap record of 1 minute 19.071 seconds to lead Friday practice for the MotoGP German Grand Prix, giving the VR46 Ducati rider an early boost after a season of mixed qualifying results. Gresini Ducati’s Álex Márquez, riding with a recently operated fracture to his left index finger, was a surprise second fastest at 0.337 seconds adrift. The Spaniard passed a morning medical check and completed 27 afternoon laps but acknowledged lingering doubts over swelling and pain management for the remainder of the weekend. Championship leader Marc Márquez placed third, electing to sacrifice a late time-attack in favour of testing race-pace tyres amid forecasts of rain for Saturday qualifying. Further down the order, Luca Marini marked his return from injury in 17th place, while Tech3’s Enea Bastianini will miss the event after being hospitalised with appendicitis.