MotoGP Results: Thrills and spills as Vinales tops pre-Jerez test

Maverick Vinales officially heralded the resumption of MotoGP action in 2020 by topping the first full group test since the season was halted way back in March due to the unfolding coronavirus pandemic.

Four months later and the MotoGP field has gathered for the first of two races in Jerez on back-to-back weekends, which forms the opening stages of what will be at least a 13-round calendar.

With the short sharp season set to throw another dynamic into the mix, a fast start from today’s single ‘refresher’ test could make all the difference.

Following the theme of pre-season testing, Vinales was quickest of all on the Yamaha M1, ahead of future team-mate Fabio Quartararo on the satellite Petronas SRT machine.

With none of the physical concerns that dogged his original pre-season preparations, Marc Marquez worked on bringing the latest RC213V up to speed following a tumultuous development period but looked back to his best in third.

Suzuki pair Alex Rins and Joan Mir were evenly matched in fourth and fifth positions, ahead of top Ducati rider Pecco Bagnaia and Johann Zarco, the Frenchman showing well ahead of his debut for Avintia Ducati.

Aleix Espargaro showed encouraging pace for eighth on the new Aprilia, though question marks over its reliability remain after the RS-GP spewed oil and took down Alex Marquez and Danilo Petrucci in the process. 

The latter was taken to the medical centre but after managing only 20th fastest in the morning, adds pressure onto a Ducati factory team contending with the already injured Andrea Dovizioso.

2020 MotoGP Pre-event testing results