Lorenzo tops opening day at Motegi

Jorge Lorenzo shrugged off concerns about his injured by dominating the opening day of practice in Japan with the Yamaha rider setting the pace ahead of Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso.

Bradley Smith vaulted to the top of the timing screens in the closing minutes but fell to fifth as other riders started to set times on fresh tyres.

The softer Open class tyres should offer a major benefit over a single lap this weekend and Hector Barbera gave an indication of what to expect with the Avintia Ducati rider inside the top ten and just ahead of Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding.