Grand Prix of The Americas FP Results | Zarco leads as Ducati MotoGP COTA 1-2

Johann Zarco topped the timesheets as the opening day of free practice for the Grand Prix of The Americas came to a conclusion as Ducati presented a convincing return to form by filling three of the four positions.

With many of the best laps coming in the closing stages as the soft tyres went on for a time attack, Zarco - still seeking his first MotoGP win - that would head up proceedings from Jack Miller, the Aussie quickly putting the ill-feeling from his lacklustre race day in Argentina firmly behind him.

Another rider looking to redeem themselves after a troubling Sunday at Termas de Rio Hondo, defending champion Fabio Quartararo was third quickest for Yamaha, with erstwhile series leader Enea Bastianini placing the Gresini Ducati fourth.

Scene of his maiden MotoGP victory in 2019, Alex Rins turned heads with comfortably the best race pace aboard the Suzuki GSX-RR, performance mirrored by team-mate Joan Mir in eighth with Marc Marquez - making a strong return from his eye injury woes - and Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales filling sixth and seventh between them.

Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin made it five Ducati riders inside the top ten, the Desmo’s coping better with COTA’s bumps and rivets following a recent track surface to cure the much maligned bumps of last year’s race.

Championship leader and Argentina MotoGP winner Aleix Espargaro sits on the edge of the provisional Q2 spots in 11th, just ahead of his brother Pol Espargaro, while KTM endured a quiet start to its weekend, Brad Binder flying its flag highest in 13th.

2022 Grand Prix of the Americas | Circuit of The Americas | FP1+FP2 Results