Gresini Ducati’s newest recruit Marc Marquez set the standard ahead of the competition in the opening practice session for this weekend’s MotoGP action in Portimão.
The Spaniard completed a total of 18 laps and utilised the drier but dirtier on-track conditions to top the timesheets with a best lap time of 1.40.484s.
Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was second fastest, under two-tenths adrift of Marquez’s benchmark and ahead of the factory KTM duo of Brad Binder and Jack Miller.
Franco Morbidelli was top of the timesheets in the middle part of the session before dropping to fifth, with team-mate Martin classified one place behind him in sixth.
Both Yamaha riders had improved on their difficulties in Qatar last time out, with Alex Rins 0.450s behind the leader in seventh and team-mate Quartararo placed 11th.
Home nation favourite Miguel Oliveira sealed a stunning eight, with Alex Marquez close behind in ninth but a considerable distance behind his brother and Gresini partner.
2020 champion Joan Mir rounded up the top 10 to provide Repsol Honda with some much needed positivity following a series of sweeping changes over the winter.
However, reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia languished 13th in his Ducati, with Enea Bastianini also struggling to acclimatise to the dirtier conditions to land 19th.
Aleix Espargaro provided a further shock as he slumped to 20th position on his Aprilia, edging out the Honda-backed pair of Luca Marini and Takaaki Nakagami.
Rookie starlet Pedro Acosta finished behind team-mate Augusto Fernandez in 15th as he bids to replicate the success that he sustained in his maiden outing in Qatar.
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