Australian MotoGP Free Practice Results: Vinales top, Quartararo hurt

Maverick Vinales powered to the top of the timesheets in a rain affected start to the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island, as Fabio Quartararo was forced to sit out the day after crashing heavily in FP1.

After rainy conditions hampered running in the morning, Vinales was on top form in the dry second session, leading the way with a 1m 28.894s to put a clear half-second between himself and the opposition on the factory Yamaha.

He might have had close competition from champion Marc Marquez had the Spaniard not been held up by his own Repsol Honda team-mate in the final sector, the lost time consigning him to sixth on the overall timesheets.

Quartararo, meanwhile, could be a doubt for the remainder of the weekend after crashing heavily in FP1 and requiring a trip to the medical centre for checks on his leg. Though he escaped serious injury, he was forced to sit out FP2, with further checks on his condition to be made ahead of FP3 before he is signed off to compete.

Andrea Dovizioso led a strong start to the weekend for Ducati, the Italian followed up by Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller in fourth and fifth, the Desmo duo beaten by leading Honda rider Cal Crutchlow in third position.

Behind Marquez, Valentino Rossi was seventh fastest on the Yamaha, with Alex Rins, Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaro rounding out the top ten and the provisional Q2 positions.

Elsewhere, Karel Abraham was an eye-catching 12th best on the Avintia Ducati, while Johann Zarco – making his debut for LCR Honda – was a solid 15th on his first outing aboard the Honda, tellingly ahead of Lorenzo.

2019 Australian MotoGP Phillip Island – Free Practice Results [Combined]