Ai Ogura held off a plethora of Spanish rivals bidding for home soil glory to end the opening day of Moto2 World Championship action at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at the head of the timesheets.

The Japanese, who endured a long spell getting back to fitness following an injury, has enjoyed a return to form in recent events, echoing the pace that took him to the 2022 Moto2 runners-up spot in 2022.

For now he holds the advantage overnight ahead of numerous Spanish rivals led by championship leader Pedro Acosta, who in turn had Alonso Lopez, Aron Canet and Manuel Gonzalez - the best placed of the riders to improve in Practice 2 - for close company, the quintet less than two tenths behind.

Having just announced he will return to American Racing in 2024, Joe Roberts was an encouraging sixth fastest, ahead of Albert Arenas on the second of the Red Bull KTM Ajo bikes.

Sam Lowes was the best of the Brits in eighth place, with Jake Dixon just behind him in tenth, while Rory Skinner completed his day in 25th.