Phillip Island, FP1: Marc Marquez on top, Jack Miller (3rd) involved in a high-speed crash

The first MotoGP session of the Australian Grand Prix saw a slightly altered line-up take to the track. Rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu is absent on the other side of the world. Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez has travelled to Australia as his replacement. Honda works rider Joan Mir, however, will not be replaced this time. Gresini youngster Fermin Aldeguer is also absent from the line-up. The Spaniard, who, curiously, only broke his thumb at Mandalika following a crash during the Grand Prix, is being represented by his compatriot and Superbike rider Iker Lecuona. As a result, only 21 riders took to the magnificent circuit. Conditions were excellent, apart from the strong wind.

Once the riders had settled into the race after a few laps, a familiar picture emerged on the timing screens. With Jorge Martin, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, three Aprilia riders were at the front. Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta and Jack Miller were also high up the order.

Ten minutes into the session, things got turbulent. First, Gresini stand-in Lecuona crashed. The Superbike runner-up sustained significant damage to his Desmosedici in Turn 7. Then a thick plume of smoke rose above the home straight as Brad Binder’s KTM came to a halt in the grass following a major engine failure. In the very same minute, yellow flags were waved – once again at Turn 7. This time, Trackhouse rider Fernandez had skidded and flown through the gravel at high speed. Last year’s winner was checked over in the pits by MotoGP doctor Dr Charte. Fifteen minutes later, he was back in action in a fresh set of leathers.

Meanwhile, the riders had stepped up the pace. Marco Bezzecchi had set the pace with a time of 1:28.2. Champion Marc Márquez had initially moved into second place, followed by Pedro Acosta. Behind them were championship leader Jorge Martín and his team-mate Ai Ogura. Whilst Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo was running in P6, local hero Jack Miller had slipped back to 11th place. ‘Thriller Miller’ was running just behind Honda-LCR rider Johann Zarco at the halfway point of FP1. Pecco Bagnaia hadn’t quite got into his stride at first. The Italian, in 16th place, was a good 1.6 seconds off the lead, which was now held by Raul Fernandez with ten minutes to go before the flag.

In the closing stages of the first free practice session, there was first jubilation, then screams all round the track. Jack Miller had beaten the fastest time by 0.090 seconds, only to crash out seconds later in the super-fast Doohan Corner. Miller had to catch his breath, but remained uninjured. Miller’s pride, however, took a knock, as Raul Fernandez reclaimed the top spot with a time of 1:28.033 mins.

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23.10.2026 - 23:35

However, the final standings were not confirmed until after Marc Marquez’s final lap. 1:27.985 minutes – first place for the world champion ahead of Fernandez, Miller, Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez, Acosta, Martin, Ogura and Quartararo. Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded off the top 10, just under a second behind.