Vinales tops MotoGP Losail practices despite crash

Despite suffering his first crash on the Movistar Yamaha, Maverick Viñales was the fastest rider Friday after three practice sessions for the Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit.

The Spaniard set a fast lap of 1m54.316s in the first session and was unhurt in the second session of the day when he slid off the bike and rolled several times down the track.

"I'm all right after the crash and everything is OK," he said. "I just ran a bit wide and ended up in the dust. We are now setting up the bike again."

He returned a bit slower in FP3, running a lap of 1m54.834s, which was still faster than the competition.

Team Suzuki Ecstar's Andrea Iannone made a huge jump late in the third session from 17th to second (+0.53s), edging reigning champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda (+0.064s).

Rookie and reigning Moto2 champion Johann Zarco was fourth fastest for Monster Yamaha Tech 3), and Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso was fifth.

Scott Redding was sixth quickest but suffered two incidents in FP3, damaging his fairing and then crashing. LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow also crashed.

Vinales' Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi finished 10th, the last to advance to Q2.

Ducati's Jorge Lorenzo was 12th on combined times and missed the cut by only half a tenth.