The MotoGP grid found itself in a mixed order after the first practice session in Valencia, with Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller topping the timesheets at the flag.
The MotoGP riders had their first opportunity to get to grips with the newly resurfaced Valencia circuit, after a one-year absence due to last year’s flooding.
A number of riders struggled in the early stages, which produced a mixed order by the time the chequered flag was thrown out.
Miller ended the opening practice as the fastest rider, with the top four all setting their best lap times on new tyres at the end of the session.
The Australian’s time of 1:30.382s put him over three tenths clear after the opening practice as Miller made the most of his usual strength in tricky conditions.
Ai Ogura set his personal best lap time on his final run and took second, while Honda wildcard Aleix Espargaro completed the top three.
Raul Fernandez was fourth after a strong opening session for Trackhouse, with Franco Morbidelli rounding out the top five.
Alex Marquez took the chequered flag in sixth for Gresini ahead of Joan Mir in seventh, as Pedro Acosta led a group of riders within a tenth of each other in eighth.
Fabio Di Giannantonio ended the session in ninth, while Augusto Fernandez took the Yamaha V4 to the top 10.
Fermin Aldeguer suffered a crash in the last 10 minutes and finished 11th ahead of Luca Marini in 12th and Johann Zarco in 13th.
Fabio Quartararo led the factory Yamaha charge in practice, taking 14th over team-mate Alex Rins in 15th.
Brad Binder crashed early in the session and took 16th at the flag ahead of Enea Bastianini in 17th, while Marco Bezzecchi was the final rider within a second of Miller’s time in 18th.
Maverick Vinales was 19th on his return from a shoulder injury, with Somkiat Chantra trailing the Tech3 KTM rider by less than a tenth of a second in 20th.
Both factory Ducati riders struggled in the opening practice session, with Francesco Bagnaia in 21st and Nicolo Bulega taking 23rd – while Miguel Oliveira was sandwiched between the pair in 22nd.
2024 World Champion Jorge Martin completed the standings in 24th on his return to MotoGP action.
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