Zarco snatches top spot from Dovizioso

Full MotoGP FP1 results from Brno

Johann Zarco has grabbed top spot for Monster Yamaha Tech 3 with his final lap of the opening practice session as MotoGP returns from its summer break at Brno.

The French rider used a fresh medium rear Michelin tyre to produce a 1m 56.647s to jump to the top of the times by just 0.073s from Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso who led the majority of the session having set his best lap during the opening stages.

MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez kept in contention at Brno, where he won a dramatic flag-to-flag victory 12 months ago, taking third in the session for Repsol Honda just 0.003s ahead of Angel Nieto Team Duacti’s Alvaro Bautista – who still remains without a 2019 deal.

Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi claimed fifth place in the first session ahead of Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone.

Dani Pedrosa’s best lap from his opening run proved to be his quickest effort in FP1 to take seventh for Repsol Honda ahead of Honda wildcard Stefan Bradl who impressed in eighth. Jack Miller (Pramac Ducati) and Tito Rabat (Avintia Ducati) also caught the eye to round out the top ten at Brno.

That left big names such as Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) outside of the automatic Q2 spots, which is decided on combined times after FP3, while the other noticeable absentee from the top 10 was factory Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales down in 14^th.

Suzuki is running Sylvain Guintoli, fresh from his Suzuka 8 Hour exploits with Yoshimura Suzuki, as a wildcard for the Czech Republic round with the French rider ending FP1 in 19^th while fellow Suzuka challenger Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda) ended the session 16^th fastest.