Image: Russell Colvin.

Australia’s newest MotoGP race winner Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda) stopped the clocks third-fastest on combined times today at Phillip Island’s wet and rain-soaked Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Few riders went out in the second MotoGP free practice session this afternoon, the session initially delayed and then later abandoned altogether as heavy rain fell upon the seaside 4.445-kilometre circuit.

Of the six riders who did make it out, Ducati Team stand-in Hector Barbera was quickest in three laps with a 1m51.958s laptime, leading another Aussie in Mike Jones (Avintia Racing Ducati) and Tito Rabat (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda).

However it was the times from FP1 earlier this morning that will stand as the fastest of the day, as Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) was fastest from Danilo Petrucci (Pramac Racing Ducati) and the ever-impressive Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda). Jones also had a positive first day in 13th.

“I’ve got to say the conditions were atrocious today, so firstly I want to say thanks to the Australian fans who still came out and supported me,” Miller said. “We got out on track this morning and it wasn’t too bad in terms of learning something for the rain set-up, but this afternoon it was far too wet and dangerous.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t put on a show this afternoon, but it was the correct decision to cancel the session because we simply can’t ride in those conditions.

“Hopefully for everybody’s sake the weather is better tomorrow and if practice and qualifying is wet then I’m confident I can be strong and do a good job. I felt I had good speed in the wet this morning and I don’t think missing two dry sessions will hurt us too much if it is dry tomorrow.”

It was actually Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) who posted the second-fastest time this morning, but because he posted too many laps on Michelin’s extra soft front tyre his times were removed, demoting him to 20th overall. If conditions don’t improve in the morning he could miss Q2.

Moto2’s second session never hit the track, however this morning Jonas Folger (Dynavolt Intact GP) went quickest in a tough Moto2 FP1, from Danny Kent (Leopard Racing) and reigning champion Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport). Despite a difficult lead-up, Remy Gardner (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) completed the top 10.

With conditions beginning difficult in Phillip Island and FP2 dawning even worse, Moto3 times on Friday afternoon couldn’t improve on those set in FP1. With Sky Racing Team VR46 rookie Nicolo Bulega having tamed the track first, the Italian therefore remained top on combined timesheets by the end of the day.

He was more than four tenths above nearest rival Niccolo Antonelli (Ongetta-Rivacold) and another rookie, Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider Aron Canet. Wildcard Matt Barton (Suus Honda) was 9.242s from the front at the tail of the field.