Márquez slashed the clock and left Phillip Island with a warning

Marc Márquez took control of the first practice at Phillip Island and set the only sub-88-second lap of the session: 1m27s985. The Ducati rider was the last rider to complete the track and left no room for doubt before the Australian Grand Prix.

The final fifteen minutes brought the fastest times and the heaviest incidents. Jack Miller initially led the session before falling at the first corner. Raul Fernandez, who had also crashed earlier, then improved Miller's time before Márquez delivered the definitive mark.

Fernandez and Miller ended with bruises

Despite the two falls, Fernandez and Miller finished second and third, respectively. The two incidents interrupted their promising final phase, but they remained close to Márquez's time. The session's pace was demanding, with several riders unable to match the Ducati.

In Moto3, Maximo Quiles, from Aspar Team, led with 1m35s439. Argentine rider Valentin Perrone, riding for Tech3, was 13th, 1s136 behind the leader. His Aspar Team teammate Marco Morelli was 20th, 1s937 off Quiles.

• MotoGP: Marc Márquez, first, 1m27s985
• MotoGP: Raul Fernandez, second
• MotoGP: Jack Miller, third
• Moto3: Maximo Quiles, first, 1m35s439
• Moto3: Valentin Perrone, 13th
• Moto3: Marco Morelli, 20th
• Moto2: Adrian Huertas, best time 1m30s393

Adrián Huertas set the benchmark for Moto2 with a best lap of 1m30s393. Phillip Island's coastal circuit, in the state of Victoria, is known for fast corners and wind that can affect motorcycle handling. The Australian Grand Prix will be its final MotoGP event, according to the material.

“The first practice showed Márquez's strength, but the falls by Fernandez and Miller also left the grid with questions before qualifying.”Cristian Bustos, Deportes

There are still more practice sessions and qualifying before the race. Márquez has the first word, but Phillip Island is not forgiving. The next rival to watch will be Fernandez, who ended the day second and will have the chance to respond in the next session.