Top local hope Jack Miller has made a stunning return to the track, posting a pair of top-10 times in Friday's open practice sessions for the Australian MotoGP.
Just three weeks after breaking his right leg, Miller (Marc VDS) clocked the third-fastest time in the first free practice at Phillip Island and was sixth fastest in the afternoon session.
Championship leader Marc Marquez was quickest on his Repsol Honda in the morning session, with Aleix Esparago (Aprilia Racing Team) topping the standings in afternoon practice.
Miller broke his leg in a training accident near his European base in Andorra and is racing with a plate and eight screws inserted just below his right knee.
Miller missed last week's Japanese MotoGP as he undertook a gruelling recovery regime, with Friday morning's session his first time back on a motorbike since the training accident.
Broc Parkes, the only other Australian on the grid, put up the slowest time in both sessions in his first ride on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
The 35-year-old from NSW was a late injury replacement for German Jonas Folger.
Riders will have the opportunity to improve on their times at a third practice session on Saturday morning. The top 10 riders on aggregate across all three sessions go through to second qualifying where they will fight it out for pole position.
The remainder of the field goes into the first qualifying session, with the top two riders earning entry into second qualifying.
In Moto2 practice, Australian rider Remy Gardner crashed out early in the session but was able to return to post the 24th fastest time.
Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) put in a blistering performance and was clearly the quickest rider in both sessions.
Sky Racing Team VR46's Nicolo Bulega topped the standings in opening Moto3 practice, while championship leader Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) was quickest in the afternoon session.
