What happened in MotoGP’s opening Austin practice

Honda MotoGP rider Marc Marquez led a damp opening practice session at one of his signature tracks, the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, leading Jack Miller by two tenths.

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Key moments:

• Marquez and Miller in class of their own
• No slick-tyre running despite dry section
• Points leader Quartararo only 15th
• Nakagami the only rider to crash

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Though rain never did make an appearance over the 45-minute runtime of the session, the track remained distinctly moistened throughout – with the dry lines forming in some sections not enough to offset the lingering spray in others, particularly on the back straight.

Mixed conditions specialists Miller and Marquez predictably led for long chunks of the session and remained out of reach until the chequered flag. Miller did improve with his penultimate attempt, but this wasn’t enough to depose Marquez, who remained 0.167s in the clear courtesy of his 2m15.872s.

Pramac Ducati man Johann Zarco elevated him to a best-of-the-rest third late on, six tenths off Miller and two tenths ahead of fourth-placed Miguel Oliveira, the lead KTM rider.

Pol Espargaro was the last rider within a second of his Honda team-mate Marquez, while Marquez’s younger brother Alex made it three Hondas in the top six. The only Honda rider to miss out was the other LCR man Takaaki Nakagami, who crashed at the sharp Turn 15 left-hander on his final lap.

Championship leader Fabio Quartararo was the top Yamaha but only 15th, seven places down on his main championship rival, Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.

Aleix Espargaro led Aprilia’s efforts right ahead of Quartararo, and is the sole Aprilia rider this weekend following Maverick Vinales’ withdrawal in the aftermath of the tragic passing of his cousin Dean Berta Vinales.

Petronas Yamaha’s high-profile new signing Andrea Dovizioso completed the order, 4.684s off the pace and eight tenths down on team-mate Valentino Rossi.

Practice 1 Results