Source: Supplied.

Australia’s road racing stars took to the track for the first time at Phillip Island today, as the 2015 Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix roared in to action.

LCR Honda’s Jack Miller treated Australian spectators in his opening practice session today, chasing down the MotoGP front-runners on home soil and concluding the session within the top five, with a 1m30.669s lap time behind Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa.

However, despite improving his fastest lap time (1m30.127s), Miller was unable to retain his top five status in the second MotoGP free practice, concluding the session just outside the top 10 in 11th.

Miller’s fellow Aussie compatriots in the MotoGP class had a tough day at the Phillip Island circuit, with both Anthony West (AB Motoracing Honda) and Damian Cudlin (E-motion Iodaracing ART) wrapping up both MotoGP free practice sessions today in 24th and 25th positions respectively.

In the Moto2 class Australia’s sole representative Josh Hook put his best foot forward, despite changing weather conditions during his free practice – clocking in with a 1m36.410s lap time in session one and 1m35.291s in session two, placing him in 25th position.

In the Moto3 class, Remy Gardner (CIP Moto Mahindra) was an encouraging 13th fastest, 0.925s off the front pace in what is his second appearance competing in the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at home.

Australia’s wildcard entries Olly Simpson (KTM) and Matt Barton (Suus Honda) had their first opportunity to perform on the world stage, however the pair were also forced to contend with the differing weather conditions.

Barton had a particularly difficult morning in the first Moto3 practice session, suffering bike issues, which were not rectified until the closing stages of practice, seeing the Honda-mounted rider only able to post a 1m47.534s lap time. In session two Barton took a spill in slippery conditions, however was not injured and will line up for qualifying tomorrow.

For Simpson, both practice sessions provided the KTM rider with the opportunity to take in his surroundings, putting down a 1m40.940s lap time in session one and 1m40.214s in session two, placing him in 35th position.