Filip Salač has ended the opening day of action in Le Mans as the man to beat, conquering the tricky conditions that greeted the Moto3 riders.

The Czech rider stormed to the top of the timesheets in Le Mans, setting a 1’44.820s in the drier afternoon session. The Rivacold Snipers Team rider was just +0.039s clear of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix race victor Romano Fenati, while 2019 French Grand Prix winner John McPhee lurked in third.

McPhee went fastest in the morning session, a 40 minute crash fest as the riders ventured out onto a wet and slippy Le Mans circuit. However, conditions improved for the second session, seeing the riders battle for the Q2 position should the weather not improve for Saturday’s third practice session.

Jaume Masia ended his day in fourth place ahead of Andrea Migno and a return to form Khairul Idham Pawi, who once again shone in the conditions he claimed his only two-wins to date. The Malaysian was +1.059s off Salač’s top time, but crucially finds himself in the top 14.

Championship leader, Ai Ogura had a steady start to his weekend finishing seventh fastest with Italian duo Celestino Vietti and Niccolo Antonelli hot on his heels, Honda Team Asia team-mate Yuki Kunii completed the top ten.

Gabriel Rodrigo finds himself just outside of the top ten in 11th with Deniz Oncu in 12th and Albert Arenas in an uncharacteristic 13th place. However, Arenas knows how to win in Le Mans.

Sergio Garcia wraps up the top 14 positions meaning Dennis Foggia, Raul Fernandez, Moto2 bound Tony Arbolino, Darryn Binder Ayumu Sasaki and Kaito Toba will all have to go through Q1 should conditions not improve for tomorrow mornings third and final session.

Tomorrow’s action begins with the Q2 shootout, FP3 gets underway at 09:00 with qualifying at 12:35. Who will claim pole position in Le Mans?

Featured image: MotoGP.com