Jack Miller topped MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Phillip Island, in Australia. Riding his Michelin-shod Prima Pramac Yamaha YZR-M1, the home hero turned a lap of 1:28.281 around the 2.76-mile (4.45 km) track and led the 22-rider field.
Alex Marquez was second-best with a 1:28.317 on his BK8 Gresini Ducati Desmosedici GP24.
Pedro Acosta was third with a lap of 1:28.416 on his Red Bull KTM Factory RC16.
Classification FP1 MOTPGP
More from a press release issued by Dorna:
Miller thrills to top Phillip Island FP1. The Australian got his homecoming tour of to a belting start on ‘The Island’.
Starting his home GP in style, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) took FP1 honours at a blustery Phillip Island, giving the home fans exactly what they came for. A podium to his name from 2019 at this very venue, ‘Thriller’ lived up to his nickname with a late flying lap to lead the field into the all-important Practice session later in the afternoon.
Having been outside the top ten for most of the session, the #43 came good right at the end of the session, demoting Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). The #73 had a moment with Miguel Oliveira (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) at the end of the session at Turn 1 but thankfully was able to stay upright. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) made it three manufacturers inside the top three, 0.135s from the top spot. Fresh from his maiden MotoGP win in Indonesia, Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was fourth, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) fifth.
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) was top at various points in the session but finished sixth. It wasn’t the best of starts for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who came in at the end of his out-lap was clearly not happy. ‘Pecco’ got back out and set his first four flying laps but came back in, signalling his discomfort by shaking his head and imitating the feeling he has with the GP25. He went on to finish seventh, growing in confidence throughout the session, ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) took 12th but had a big mechanical issue down into Turn 1 in the closing stages, with plumes of smoke coming from the Honda. There was also a fast crash at Turn 1 for Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). He was able to walk away and was soon back aboard, finishing 14th.