Marquez fastest at MotoGP Phillip Island test

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez posted the fastest time on the opening day of the second pre-season test at Phillip Island.

The factory Honda rider clocked a session best 1:29.497s effort in the final hour of the session held in dry conditions at the Victorian circuit.

The time was 0.4s faster than his previous benchmark which arrived shortly after the session was brought to a halt while repairs were made to the tyre wall at Turn 6.

Falls from Aspar Ducati rider Alvaro Bautista and Aprilia’s Sam Lowes had caused the damage.

Valentino Rossi ended the day as Marquez’s nearest rival after a late effort saw him jump from sixth to second spot, just 0.18s shy of the pace.

Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone dropped to third as a result ahead of the sister factory Yamaha of Maverick Vinales.

LCR Honda’s Cal Cructhlow held third until the final 10 minutes when a flurry of times saw the Brit demoted to fifth.

Danilo Petrucci was sixth for Pramac Ducati ahead Dani Pedrosa (Honda) and the factory Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso.

Australia’s Jack Miller enjoyed an encouraging day in ninth for Marc VDS Honda, while new Tech3 Yamaha recruit Jonas Folger rounded out the top 10.

Jorge Lorenzo continued to acclimatise to the new Ducati GP17, ending the hit out in 11th position, 1.1s adrift of Marquez.

Pol Espargaro emerged as the fastest KTM runner in 17th position.

Testing will resume tomorrow before concluding on Friday.

Result: MotoGP Pre-season test Day 1, Phillip Island