MotoGP: Marquez smashes lap record in first night of practice

Marc Marquez has smashed the lap record at the Losail circuit on the opening night of practice for the first round of the 2019 MotoGP season, going nearly half a second under Johann Zarco’s old record at the Qatari track. He topped the night’s time sheets from Maverick Viñales and Jack Miller, with Danilo Petrucci fourth and rookie Fabio Quartararo an impressive fifth.

Cal Crutchlow was a distant 13th, well off the pace in the first session but pleased with his progress on the second outing despite a series of mistakes on his fast lap attempt costing him a better place on the standings.