Despite bright sunshine belting down on the Jerez circuit for the start of MotoGP FP1, the 4,428km (2.7 mile) track remained damp in places.
After missing the Portuguese Grand Prix, it was confirmed prior to FP1 that Tech 3 KTM rider Raul Fernandez would also miss this weekend due to a right hand injury.
Keen to replicate his stunning performance of last weekend, reigning MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo immediately set the pace from Marc Marquez and team-mate Franco Morbidelli.
Enea Bastianini then replaced the Yamaha rider at the top of the timing sheets, however, the French rider snapped straight back with a time of 1:34.439s – half a second clear of the Gresini Ducati rider.
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In a battle for Jack Miller’s factory seat, Bastianini was then moved down to fourth by Jorge Martin. Both riders were over three tenths off Quartararo during the early stages, as was Marquez who regained second spot.
Quartararo in significant pain following turn 13 fall…
As Quartararo and Marquez exchanged top spot once again, the Yamaha rider then suffered a nasty crash at turn 13. Quartararo went down the inside of Fabio Di Giannantonio before losing the rear mid-corner.
After returning to pit lane, Quartararo headed straight for his motorhome as he appeared to be in a lot of discomfort.
Despite the fall Quartararo remained fastest from Aleix Espargaro and Joan Mir – both riders sneaked within two tenths.
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Quartararo then suffered another big moment at turn eight after losing the rear, but thankfully he stayed on his M1 this time.
The world champion’s eventful FP1 continued a lap later after getting it wrong through turn five, which led to him running through the gravel.
Hoping to join his team-mate towards the front, and thus regaining the form many expected to see in 2022, Morbidelli started FP1 in fine fashion after going third. But as the pace picked up the Italian was once again dropped down the order – sat in 12th with half the session remaining.
With 18 minutes left Quartararo headed back out on-track, while Pol Espargaro shot to the top of the leaderboard. Marquez then joined his team-mate in setting a fast lap as he went third.
As Mir went second for Suzuki, Morbidelli also jumped up the order by going seventh. Second then became first for Mir who is in need of a big weekend following his unfortunate DNF in Portimao.
A late turn of pace from Takaaki Nakagami saw him initially go second to Mir, before his next lap looked set to put him fastest. But as he tipped in to turn 13, the LCR Honda man got his braking wrong and subsequently ran wide.
Despite showing no pace throughout the session, Alex Marquez bolted to the top with just under a minute remaining, however, Mir fought back immediately to regain first place.
Suzuki start bid for first MotoGP win of 2022 in fine form
Alongside Mir’s impressive pace, Rins managed to move up to second during the final minute of action.
Rins could have joined Mir inside the top two earlier on, however, the joint championship leader was blocked by a slow moving Stefan Bradl.