In an eventful opening session which was interrupted by two red flags, Michael Rutter's Macao experience paid dividends as he rose swiftly to the top of the times in the frantic final minutes.

When the track went green Rutter came out of pitlane looking like a different rider to the one who'd cruised round at 2:41 before the interruptions, and immediately slashed ten seconds off his lap time, although 2:31 was still a way above the expected qualifying pace down at 2.25 or lower, but it was a sign of how quickly and easily he was able to up his game - and how comfortable he was aboard his new Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Honda RC213V.

Because of the red flags most riders managed no more than three or four flying laps in the 45-minute period allowed for circuit knowledge and bike setup before the afternoon's first qualifying session and that played into the hands of Rutter, who set the fastest time at 2:29.232 ahead of his Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing team-mate and 2016 winner Peter Hickman at 2:30.434, and another Macao regular Martin Jessopp. A lap of 2:30.535 was a good sign for a rider on his first outing with the Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati team.

Behind the quickest three was a roundup of road racing elite led by Horst Saiger (Saiger-Racing Yamaha) in fourth at 2:32.415 and David Johnson (PR Racing BMW) fifth at 2:32.513.