Despite topping the timesheets on Friday, Marco Bezzecchi is still struggling due to injuries he sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix.

A week on from his crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, Marco Bezzecchi is still feeling the physical effects from his collision with his teammate.

Bezzecchi was taken out of the Japanese Sprint Race on Saturday at Motegi after his teammate, Jorge Martin, collided with him at the first corner.

Although Martin is out of action for the next two Grands Prix after undergoing surgery to fix a displaced collarbone fracture, Bezzecchi is still racing and topped the timesheets on Friday.

"It was a good day for us, of course it wasn't easy," Bezzecchi told the media after the Friday afternoon Practice session.

"Because it was difficult, the track condition was tough, especially this afternoon. But, physically, I am still struggling a bit, especially with my back. Which I did not expect, I expected to struggle with my leg. But my leg is good, and my back is a bit worse.

"Anyway, like I said, it has been a good day. Difficult day, difficult to put temperatures in the tyres, especially the rear. But with the front, as you go with a harder compound, it gets worse and worse to try and put temperature in it.

"Which is strange, because normally here it is super hot, and today it was super hot. Apart from this, when I got up to temperature, I felt good on the bike."

There are only two Aprilia riders on track this weekend as Martin and Ai Ogura are missing due to injuries. However, there were promising signs for Aprilia as Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez qualified for Q2 on Friday afternoon.

"We are working well, and the bike is improving day by day," he stated.

"There has been more than one GP now where we have been going faster and faster, so it is positive. But there is always tomorrow, and the others will improve, and they will be closer and closer. So, we must keep improving more and more for tomorrow and for Sunday."