Styrian MotoGP Practice Results | Nakagami fastest, heavy fall for Oliveira

Takaaki Nakagami ended the opening day of Styrian MotoGP free practice action at the Red Bull Ring with the fastest time after his FP1 benchmark was assured by damp conditions descending for FP2.

The Japanese rider - who came closest to his maiden MotoGP podium at the Austrian venue a year ago - gave Honda a welcome early boost as the series officially returned to track action following a lengthy summer hiatus.

His top time of 1m 23.805secs gave him the edge over reigning champion Joan Mir, who debuted Suzuki’s new ride-height device to deliver arguably the GSX-RR’s most promising start to a grand prix weekend in 2021 with second.

With iffy conditions for FP2 seeing riders circulating around eight seconds a lap slower, the provisional Q2 participants were therefore nominated from FP1.

Aleix Espargaro was once again impressive over a single lap to haul his Aprilia RS-GP into third overall, while Alex Rins complemented Suzuki team-mate Mir by lifting the second of the GSX-RRs into fourth position.

Similarly, Nakagami’s efforts were supported by factory Repsol Honda duo Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez, who headed off the Factory Yamahas of Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo

Ducati - which has won five of six GPs to be held at the Red Bull Ring since 2016 - was represented in the top ten by Johann Zarco in ninth and Jack Miller.

Dani Pedrosa’s much anticipated comeback saw him end his first MotoGP FP session since Valencia 2018 in 11th and as the highest-placed KTM rider. His efforts came after Miguel Oliveira suffered a dramatic high-side at Turn 3 that sent him down heavily and prompted him to skip the damp FP2 session altogether.

Elsewhere, fresh from his retirement bombshell on Thursday, Valentino Rossi started his weekend in 16th place, with new Petronas SRT Yamaha team-mate - the returning Cal Crutchlow - in 23rd and last.

In the sketchy conditions of FP2, Lorenzo Savadori was the surprise pacesetter on the Aprilia with a 1m 31.304secs, ahead of Zarco. Mir and Bagnaia.

2021 Styria MotoGP | Red Bull Ring | Friday FREE PRACTICE [FP1 + FP2]