Image: Supplied.

The return of MotoGP on Wednesday at the Jerez test saw Monster Energy Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales finish at the top of the time-sheets in preparation for this weekend’s return to racing at the famed Spanish circuit.

A 1m37.793s in the afternoon session saw the Spaniard take the first spoils of a restarted 2020, leading Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in P2 as both Yamahas went quicker in the scorching afternoon temperatures

Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was third via his morning lap-time. At the beginning of the second session, Aleix Espargaro’s Aprilia Racing Team Gresini bike encountered an issue, dropping some fluid on the circuit at turn 11. Both Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) were the unfortunate duo to crash as a result.

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) claimed fourth on his GSX-RR, although everyone down to fellow Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Joan Mir in ninth failed to go faster in the afternoon conditions. Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was fifth, with Aleix Espargaro giving the Aprilia another good showing in seventh despite the earlier issue encountered.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) made for close company though, with Mir and fellow MotoGP sophomore Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) rounding out the top 10 – all riders split by just 0.624s.

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was 11th ahead of a good day’s work from Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing) in 12th. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) – the latter on the way back from his collarbone injury – completed the top 15.

Moto2 got back on track with some incredibly tight times, with Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) setting a 1m42.436s in the afternoon to lead Tom Luthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) by just 0.076s by the end of play. Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) was P3, while Remy Gardner (SAG Racing) was 13th on combined times.

Petronas Sprinta Racing’s John McPhee was the man to beat as Moto3 returned to track, his 1m46.263s was 0.3s clear of a chasing pack led by another impressive performance from Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and fellow home hero Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) a they completed the top three.

Dynavolt Intact GP’s Dominique Aegerter was the man to beat in MotoE World Cup testing, setting a best time of 1m48.596s, which was 0.445s ahead of Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE). Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE) was ranked P9 overall.

Detailed results