Americas MotoGP | Marc Marquez, Honda looking strong in practice at COTA

Marc Marquez showcased some of his best form in Friday Free Practice at the Circuit of The Americas as he topped both sessions on MotoGP’s return to the United States for the first time in two and a half years.

The Spaniard - well known for his preference for the more unusual anti-clockwise configuration of circuit - was fastest in the damp and again in the dry afternoon session to end up the day on top for Repsol Honda.

Despite the circuit’s 2mins plus length, it was however close at the top with Jack Miller just 0.015secs shy of the six-time MotoGP World Champion as the highest-placed Ducati.

Championship leader Fabio Quartararo got the early advantage over Pecco Bagnaia ahead of what could be a pivotal race for the two title fighters, the Frenchman again far and away the fastest Yamaha rider in third, while Bagnaia could only make do with sixth.

Between them, Honda enjoyed a strong start to the weekend with Pol Espargaro in fourth place, just ahead of LCR counterpart Takaaki Nakagami.

Pramac Ducati duo Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco trailed Bagnaia, while Alex Rins - winner at COTA in 2019 - was top Suzuki in ninth and Misano star Enea Bastianini rounded out the top ten.

Elsewhere, there were falls for Aleix Espargaro - leaving him 19th on the sole entered Aprilia - and Miguel Oliveira, the latter’s tumble compounding a day that failed to see KTM get any of its bikes inside the top ten.

2021 Grand Prix of the Americas MotoGP | Free Practice RESULTS [FP1 + FP2]