Moto3: Antonelli slows the Spaniards on opening day

Italian rider Niccolo Antonelli has topped the opening day of Moto3 action in Europe this season, by dominating proceedings at Jerez to end the day nearly half a second clear of championship leader Jorge Martin.

The SIC58 Honda rider struck at the end of the session to demote Martin’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, with Martin also squeezing past his fellow Italian at the end despite struggling with issues all session.

Enea Bastianini heads the provisional second row ahead of Aron Canet and Kaito Toba, with Marcos Ramirez, Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Tony Arbolino helping to make it five Italians in the top nine at the Spanish round.

Brit John McPhee was tenth, starting the weekend strongly and making progress with his CIP Moto KTM and with the squad.