French rider Johann Zarco on the Ducati Desmosedici GP22 edged Australian Jack Miller on the same bike in a nail-biting finish during the opening practice session of the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. Zarco posted a best lap of 1:30.368, narrowly faster than Miller by 0.091 seconds and just ahead of Spaniards Alex Márquez, Alex Rins and Aleix Espargaró, who all battled closely for top positions. The field showed clear momentum as teams pushed hard to dial in setups for the demanding track conditions at Phillip Island.
Several notable technical discussions emerged during the practice, including commentary on Marc Márquez’s Repsol Honda project as the team explored a second machine and additional updates to their package. Spaniard Joan Mir, returning to competition after a right-foot injury, traveled to Australia to race on a configuration he has long favored and that has brought him Moto3 glory in the past. His presence added intrigue to a session already crowded with high-level contenders.
Quartararo started as the early pacesetter for France on the Yamaha YZR-M1, while Marco Bezzecchi from Italy mounted a strong challenge on the Ducati Desmosedici GP22. As time wore on, Márquez surged to the top of the leaderboard, aided by a race-track performance that allowed his teammate Pol Espargaró to briefly take over the fastest times with a 1:31.258 and then a 1:30.897. In a dramatic final stretch, Márquez lapped with rear wing configurations that suggested a notable aerodynamic adjustment, although it wasn’t enough to beat Miller, who clocked 1:30.561. The competition remained exceptionally tight as rivals pressed for the best possible lap times.
Espargaró, Aleix Espargaró on the Aprilia RS-GP, and several other frontrunners continued to refine their lines, tire choices, and throttle response. Miller chipped away at his best, shaving milliseconds off his time and keeping the pressure on the leaders. In the global mix, Zarco showed the pace that has him viewed as a strong title challenger, surpassing his rivals in the final moments of the session with an outright best that left others chasing.
In the closing moments, the field narrowed further as Bagnaia, Rins, Márquez and the Espargarós all battled at the edge of the top positions. Quartararo, who had led at various points, finished the session in a solid mid-pack position, with Pol Espargaró just ahead of him and a trio of Spaniards—Jorge Martín, Maverick Viñales, and Joan Mir—close behind. The dynamic mix of riders at Phillip Island highlighted the intense competition heading into the next practice rounds and set the tone for a season expected to feature several dramatic duels.
Augusto Fernández leads a tough Moto2 session
Spanish rider Augusto Fernández on a Kalex set the pace in the Moto2 class, turning a surprisingly strong session on a track that proved rougher than anticipated at Phillip Island. Minutes after the session began, a red flag halted activities due to track conditions and dirt spread by a few incidents across the surface. Dutch rider Bo Bendsneyder, Spaniard Pedro Acosta, and other contenders regrouped as officials worked to clear the affected zones and restore safe racing conditions.
The session resumed with Fernández maintaining the top spot, followed by Czech rider Filip Salac, Italian Tony Arbolino, and Bendsneyder, who managed to repair his machine and rejoin the action. Acosta faced a longer delay before returning to the track, unable to recapture his earlier pace. Fernández held firm into the late stages, only to be challenged by Jake Dixon of Britain, whose late surge briefly disrupted the Spaniard’s lead before the lap-time boundary rules reset and his best time was wiped as he crossed the track limit. The final times saw Fernández holding the pole with a Spanish record in the books, just as rain flags began to appear in parts of the circuit.
In the concluding moments, Salac, Dixon, Chantra, and Arbolino kept the competition tight among Kalex machines, while Bo Bendsneyder, Aron Canet, Sam Lowes, and Albert Arenas remained within striking distance. Fermin Aldeguer of Spain topped the Boscoscuro category, with Alonso López and the nearby talents rounding out the top ranks. Ai Ogura of Japan struggled to stay within striking distance and finished outside the front group, while Marcos Ramírez and Jorge Navarro completed the list in the lower portion of the standings.
Moreira takes the lead in Moto3 on final lap
Brazilian Diogo Moreira on the KTM led the Moto3 session with a decisive late lap, as Joel Kelso from Australia pushed hard on home soil. The previous day’s heavy rain had given way to a clear but brisk morning, testing riders’ adaptability. Izan Guevara’s early crash and the resulting shift in standings left the field more open for the concluding laps. Guevara eventually finished in eighth, with Tatsuki Suzuki and other contenders trying to convert late momentum into stronger results. Moreira secured the top slot with a best time of 1:39.773, beating Dennis Foggia and Sergio García Dols by slim margins.