Ten-time Sachsenring race winner Marc Marquez tops MotoGP FP1

MotoGP FP1 at Sachsenring was a case of normal service resumed as eight-time world champion and ten-time race winner in Germany, Marc Marquez was fastest. 

Marquez set a blistering time of 1:21.660s, which was nearly a second quicker than Jack Miller in second during the opening stages. 

Takaaki Nakagami then reduced the gap to just under three tenths, before championship leader Fabio Quartararo went second +0.168s back. 

It was an eventful session for Quartararo as an early crash at turn 12 seemed to leave the Frenchman in some discomfort with his right shoulder. 

While walking through the gravel Quartararo was holding his right arm extensively, however, the Monster Energy Yamaha rider was able to continue and looked unaffected in the end.

The lap time set by Marquez was unimproved on, and therefore good enough to remain fastest, as three Hondas made up the top four positions. 

After suffering an early crash at turn three, Pol Espargaro regrouped to finish fourth aboard his Repsol Honda, while fifth went the way of his brother Aleix Espargaro on the Aprilia. 

The only other faller of the session was Jorge Martin, but just like Espargaro and Quartararo, the Spaniard was unhurt and ultimately finished 19th - one place ahead of Valentino Rossi. 

Sixth fastest was the top Ducati of Miller, while Alex Rins was eighth quickest on his return after missing the Catalunya GP two weeks ago. 

Rounding out the top ten was second in the title standings Johann Zarco, ninth was 2020 world champion Joan Mir, and tenth went to the second factory Yamaha of Maverick Vinales.