Reigning World Champion over three tenths clear of second place Miller, Crutchlow third fastest, all six manufacturers inside the top 9

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) began his Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina in fine fashion after he topped the timesheets in MotoGP™ FP1, the only rider to dip into the 1:39s with a 1:39.827, 0.353 ahead of second place Jack Miller (Pramac Racing).

The sun was shining in Argentina as the premier class riders took to the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit for the first time this weekend, but Marquez’ day didn’t start so smoothly – the seven-time Champion having difficulty getting his Honda machine started.

However, once the number 93 got going, it wasn’t long before he was setting the pace. Marquez sat at the top of the times throughout and eventually finished the session with a personal best lap – a 1:39.827.

Miller was his closest challenger, with last season’s winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) 0.388 off in third. After putting in a soft - soft tyre combination at the end, Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) jumped up to P4 with a 1:40.319, with Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Andrea Iannone getting his weekend off to a great start in P5 – 0.539 splitting the top five.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) both crashed at Turn 1, riders ok.