MotoGP Assen: Jack Miller fastest in wet FP1 as turn one causes havoc | MotoGP

Despite it being tricky conditions for the start of FP1, riders immediately headed out on track to access grip levels.

Spray was an obvious concern, however, factory Ducati rider Jack Miller was unfazed by following Fabio Quartararo as he went on to set the fastest time.

While fast, Miller was the first rider to make a mistake at turn one as he ran off track, nearly collecting Fabio Quartararo in the process.

Joan Mir was next to go wide, with the Spaniard making an even bigger mistake than Miller as he ran into the gravel.

With Mir using his motocross skills to stay upright, the Suzuki rider managed to get away with his error, something Marco Bezzecchi was unable to do. The MotoGP rookie went down at turn one in what was the first crash of the session.

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While Miller regrouped from his early mistake to go 1.3 seconds clear of Quartararo, Enea Bastianini became the next crasher at turn one.

The three-time race winner in 2022 lost the front under braking before sliding through the gravel at a serious pace. His Gresini machine was completely wrecked and far from a collector’s item.

With track conditions very much on the limit, Maverick Vinales running off track at turn one proved that red flags could and perhaps should have been deployed.

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Johann Zarco was the only rider who could get close to Miller’s top time with just under half the session remaining, but even in going second, his Pramac Ducati was sliding and losing traction repeatedly.

After putting together his best race for Aprilia before ride-height issues cost him a potential podium in Sachsenring, Vinales continued his strong form by going third fastest with just over ten minutes to go.

Jorge Martin briefly got the better of Vinales in order to make it a Ducati 1-2-3, however, the ex-Yamaha rider responded by going quickest overall.

Pol Espargaro and Honda put up a late fight during MotoGP Assen FP1

As lap times continued to improve, Pol Espargaro suddenly bolted up the order to go fastest for Honda.

Determined to end FP1 the way he started it – Miller went back to the top of the leaderboard after setting a time of 1:43.069s – +0.047s clear of Alex Rins.

Espargaro regained top spot from Miller momentarily, but the Australian was having none of it as he then went three tenths faster, before Mir jumped up to P2.

The top three remained unchanged through to the checkered flag, although Alex Marquez went P4 aboard his LCR Honda machine.