Pecco Bagnaia put on another showing of Ducati might this afternoon as he powered his GP21 to the fastest time of Friday’s free practice sessions in Portugal.

Conquering his demons from last year’s disappointing weekend in the Algarve - where the Italian qualified in 15th before being forced to retire on the opening lap of the inaugural race - Bagnaia’s confidence with his new factory machine was clear to see. Building his pace throughout the two 45-minute sessions, the VR46 academy graduate repeatedly threatened the standings before concluding the opening day as the only rider to break the 1’40 barrier, with an impressive 1’39.866, despite the fluctuating weather and low grip conditions.

Speaking after the final practice the Italian explained: “For me it has been a very positive day, because last year in this track, I struggled a lot with the front feeling. I was losing time and my feeling was every time to lose the front in every entry. Today at the start in FP1, I feel very good with the bike, everything has been very positive, the grip, the feeling. My bike is working very well.

“In FP2 we make a great step with my rear feeling that has helped me a lot in the traction so I did another step forward, thanks to my team. When we tried the time attack everything was very, very good so I’m happy. We have to continue this way of working, my pace is very strong, also the time attack, so we are really prepared for tomorrow.

“In FP2 I use the medium front, and in the first part of the FP2, I was struggling a bit to be fast but then I found again the feeling. In the second exit, the front tyre was on more than 20 laps and I again did a ’41.0, so the feeling is really great.

“Last year had been really difficult, after my injury, and the operation, the last part of the season was difficult to remain fast during the race and during a weekend but this year is everything different. This winter, training with the bike, makes me have more feeling and more confidence to enter the track and already make good laps. It’s something that I work a lot on and now everything is easier.

“The feeling is that our bike is close to last year’s. We are just trying to adjust it to my riding style and today we made another step forward. It is just the third race but at the moment my feeling with the bike is so much better than last year so I think that I improved a lot my riding style this winter, and now I feel great with everything.”