TAKA TOP OF MOTOGP CLASS ON DAY ONE IN AUSTRIA

Takaaki Nakagami made the best possible start as the MotoGP class resumed after the summer break, topping the timesheets on the opening day of free practice for the Grand Prix of Styria. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider was straight back into the groove at the Red Bull Ring as he went fastest in FP1 before rain complicated matters for the riders in Spielberg.

Having qualified on the front row of the corresponding race last year, the Japanese star laid down a marker in the morning session as he eclipsed reigning world champion Joan Mir to secure top spot in FP1. Bursts of rain then ensured that the MotoGP class would not improve their times in the afternoon, leaving Taka (17^th in FP2) on top of the pile overnight.