Schrotter and Martin top Moto2 and Moto3 timesheets respectively.
Movistar Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales has narrowly edged out local favourite Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) in the opening practice session for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix following a lengthy delay to kick the weekend off.
It was Moto3 rider Stefano Nepa (CIP – Green Power) who caused the red flags to be shown with 33 minutes of the session remaining, a problem with his bike meant the Italian unintentionally dropped oil between turns one and eight. After a major cleanup operation, action got back underway around two hours later, with the session being reduced to 30 minutes.
When the MotoGP class hit the track this afternoon, Vinales delivered a stellar 1m29.952s time, a mere 0.037s faster than Miller, who beat teammate Danilo Petrucci’s (Pramac Racing) time of 1m30.027s.
The times were close with half a second separating the first seven, although it was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) who closed out the first five. Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) was sixth despite a crash, while the top 10 consisted of Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Johann Zarco (Monster Energy Tech3), Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha).
Australian guest Angel Nieto Team, Mike Jones, wound up 24th on the timesheets in his first MotoGP outing since 2016, learning to become acquainted with the Ducati machine in the process.
Marcel Schrotter (Dynavolt IntactGP) got his grand prix off to a perfect start as he ended Moto2 FP1 at the top of the times. The German led the way from Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) after setting a fastest lap of 1m33.788s, the South African 0.154s off that time, with Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) completing the top three.
Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) eventually finished fourth fastest, beating fifth place and title rival Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) by 0.051s.
Remy Gardner (Tech3 Racing) suffered a huge highside in the early stages of the session, thankfully the Australian rider was declared fit for his home GP after a checkup in the medical centre. Compatriot and teammate for the weekend Bryan Staring (Tech3 Racing) was 27th fastest in first time out aboard a Moto2 machine.
Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) topped a heavily delayed Moto3 FP1 session at Phillip Island. The Spaniard set a 1m38.841s to beat Marcos Ramirez (Bester Capital Dubai) by 0.133s, with Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) completing the top three – 0.284s back. Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Snipers Team) was fourth fastest, with John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) completing the top five.