That was how the top three still sat ahead of the time attacks, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) in the danger zone in 10th while Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) sat one position outside the provisional Q2 cut-off, and with cool conditions expected on Saturday morning, the stakes were high. Predictably, once new Michelin tyres were fitted up and down pit lane, lap times started to tumble again, with Bezzecchi, Viñales and Quartararo all taking turns at the top. Bezzecchi had been shuffled all the way back to sixth when he fired in a 1:29.513 to go P1 again in the final minute, but was bettered by Zarco by 0.038 seconds, just before the chequered flag.