Dovi heads Rossi and Viñales in FP1

Ducati leads Yamaha on Friday morning as the premier class riders spring into action at Sepang

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) – winner here for the last two years – kicked off his Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in the best possible way as he topped FP1 with a 1:59.697, beating compatriot Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) by 0.070 and Australian GP winner Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) by 0.231.

The Malaysian temperatures were soaring and so was the early pace this weekend, with mid 1:59s just half a second away from the fastest laps we’ve seen around the Sepang International Circuit. The first rider to dip below the two-minute barrier was fourth place was Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing), the Australian led the way with five minutes to go, with teammate Danilo Petrucci completing the top five on Friday morning – 0.485 off the top Desmosedici.

While most of the field put in fresh rubber at the end of the session, 2018 Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) - in his usual fashion - didn’t. The Spaniard continued to set lap times of used tyres as he ended FP1 in P10, with countryman Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) returning to track action for the first time since Japan. ‘The Spartan’ finished P24, 3.507 seconds back from teammate Dovi.

Xavier Simeon (Reale Avinita Racing) suffered a late crash at Turn 14 – rider ok.

The premier class will be out for FP2 at 15:05 local time (GMT +8), who will take Friday honours?

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