Marc Marquez topped the times in sketchy conditions, ahead of team mate Dani Pedrosa and Johann Zarco.
As the session began, drops of rain began to fall until it eventually started to pour. All riders remained in the pits for around fifteen minutes, until it was finally wet enough to come out on wets. Zarco led the way out of the pits and rounded out the top three at the end of the session.
Of course, all eyes fell to Valentino Rossi who is making his return to ride his factory Yamaha just 23 days after breaking his leg.
His first lap was around eight seconds off the pace, but he soon bounced back. For a while he sat in tenth place, but was demoted back to 18th, 2.8 seconds off the pace of Marquez.
Factory KTM test rider Mika Kallio is making his return too, riding alonside the KTM regulars Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith.
With rumours circulating that this weekend will be the decider between Smith and Kallio, it is important for them both to perform at their best in order to take a permanent seat in the team next year.
Kallio’s fastest lap of 2:02.099 saw him end the session in 5th, whereas Smith didn’t set a time due to the bike breaking down on his out lap.
Top ten:
- Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team – 2:01.243
- Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team +0.498
- Johann Zarco, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 +0.785
- Jack Miller, EG 0,0 Marc VDS +0.856
- Mika Kallio, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +1.051
- Jorge Lorenzo, Ducati Team +1.143
- Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda +1.475
- Danilo Petrucci, OCTO Pramac Racing +1.674
- Andrea Iannone, Team Suzuki Ecstar +1.714
- Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team +1.850