Image: Russell Colvin.

The opening MotoGP free practice session at Philip Island was topped by Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), posting a 1m30.368s as home hero Jack Miller concluded FP1 in second.

By the time the premier class took the circuit the track was predominantly dry but water remained across Siberia, turn two and in the ripple strips.

Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) who lead much of the final five minutes was just under a tenth shy of Zarco’s fastest effort, as Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) jumped to third courtesy of a 1m30.493s.

Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was fourth, ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing). Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) spent a long time leading the session, but ultimately finished seventh with a 1m30.897s.

Title-contender Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was eighth, ahead of leading rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing) as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) completed the top 10.

Points leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) finished 12th, notably not using new tyres at the end of the session as Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing)  completed the outing P20, 1.839s from the top.

In Moto3 Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) topped what was a drying session while CIP Green Power’s Joel Kelso finished the opening practice session in P4.

Trailing Moreira was Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), just 0.057s behind as Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GasGas Aspar) completed the top three. Kelso shot to the top of the timesheets in the latter stages, but ultimately finished 0.144s from the lead.

It was a scare for championship leader Izan Guevara (Gaviota GasGas Aspar Team) who crashed at Lukey Heights after appearing to be blown off track with a gust of wind. He completed FP1 in seventh.

Moto2 World Championship leader Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) led the way in what was a chaotic opening intermediate class session, posting a 1m34.704s amidst gutsy and misty conditions.

Filip Salac (Gresini Racing) completed FP1 P2 courtesy of a 1m34.778s, as Jake Dixon (Inde GasGas Aspar Team) was third, notably having his best time removed which would have seen him fastest.

A number of riders fell in the early stages seemingly due to the windy conditions, causing a red flag delay before the session resumed with 36 minutes remaining.

Detailed results