Honda rider Marc Marquez  topped FP1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as the session began wet and on wets before drying to take slicks.

The running was up-and-down for much of the field, with only a handful of bikes initially out on track. On rain tyres, Jorge Lorenzo was quickest, with those heading out later on slicks then tumbling the times.

Cal Crutchlow was second fastest, with Mugello winner Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) taking P3.

Jack Miller caused a stir and was then black flagged in the session after he used the 2016 chicane layout, having missed the test last month at the venue as he headed home to better recover from a big crash at Le Mans.

FP1 Result:

Source: MotoGP.com

Happy to be back at it so soon, Marquez says the recent test many of the field undertook at Montmelo was positive for him and his team, and will be looking to build on that from Friday in front of his home crowd.

"I’m happy to get back in action soon and to do it at Catalunya, as racing at home in front of all your fans always gives you an extra boost! In Italy we managed the situation as well as possible, but we must do better." Said the Honda rider

"We have to be able to remain more consistently at a good level. The test we did at Catalunya some days ago actually went well enough. We did a lot of laps, improving the bike’s setup over the day, so we’ll try and build on that beginning on Friday."

"As for the changes made to the track, I think they’re interesting and quite challenging to interpret well. The speed and the corners on the rest of the circuit are all similar, while in that sector they’re now quite different. But honestly, the layout is so particular that I like it!" He added

Marquez is now forth in the championship standing with 68 point, 37 points behind the leader Yamaha Maverick Vinales

Source: MotoGP.com

At that test, the five-time World Champion was the fastest Ducati - something that bodes well as Lorenzo rides in front of his home crowd for the second time this year. And the first time he did that, in Jerez, he was on the podium.

"I haven’t had much time to reflect on the race at Mugello and now we are about to do another race, here in Catalunya where I have always had a good feeling and where I have scored some good results in the past." Said the former world champion

"I think that our sensations at Montmelo could change: we will have to understand how the different bikes adapt to the track modifications, but the reference that we have from the test here a couple of weeks ago is good."

"I was the fastest Ducati rider and this gives me the confidence to tackle this important race in front of my fans. Anything can happen on this circuit and I’m sure that I will be more competitive here than in Italy.".

source: MotoGP.com

Less grip but a great atmosphere and another challenging weekend of MotoGP awaits -  before a one day Official Test on Monday, too.

"I would have liked to have had a one-week stop after the Mugello race to recover in the best way." The Doctor told MotoGP.com

"Anyway, I'm happy with the race I did, the bike rode well and in Barcelona I hope I can be better, I would like to go on the podium. Barcelona is a circuit that I really enjoy, even if it‘s a track with less grip, and we will have to try to find a good set-up to make the tyres work best." He added

"On Monday we will also have a day of testing and we will use it to try some other solutions. This is another Grand Prix where there is a beautiful atmosphere, with so many enthusiastic fans. We are ready to do our best!”