Factory Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo is predicting a potential MotoGP qualifying showdown between himself and Marc Marquez in Aragon.

The Spaniard ended the first day of free practice second fastest, just 0.138 seconds off of Marquez’ fastest lap time of the day.

“The improvement this afternoon was huge, I feel much better with more rubber on the track and riding better,” said the factory Ducati man.

“I felt stronger, faster. I was one of the riders with a better pace and one of the fastest also with new tyres, even if I didn’t put a new front tyre that for sure will give me some extra tenths tomorrow.

“I think tomorrow we can go into the '46s in qualifying. The record is a 46.6s with different tyres, but looking at the lap times from Marc and myself, without putting the new front tyre, I think with more tries, because we will have two tyres in qualifying, maybe it is possible to do a 46. A 46.8/6.9 could be possible. Let's see.”

The past few races have seen many call the Ducati the best bike on the grid. Lorenzo, who will leave Ducati for Honda for 2019, said that the Honda has visibly improved its engine.

“That means that they improved the engine. So that's bad for us and I guess it will be better for next year,” he said.