Ayumu Sasaki wasted no time in establishing his authority on Moto3’s return to Germany as he smashed the Sachsenring lap record right out of the box in P1 to lead the way on Friday.

With the arrival of rain during the lunch break making P2 damp and therefore slower, all riders achieved their Friday standards in the morning session with Sasaki straight up to pace on the IntactGP Husqvarna.

Still seeking his first win of the 2023 Moto3 season, the Japanese rider reeled off a handful of quick laps, peaking with a 1m 25.840secs lap to set a brand-new marker.

He wasn’t alone in setting a scintillating pace with Deniz Oncu - who was pipped to Mugello glory on the run to the line by Daniel Holgado just five days ago - just two tenths adrift of his rival to hold down second on the timesheets.

However, there was a full half-second between the Turk and third place man Jaume Masia on the Leopard Honda, the Spaniard heading off countryman Ivan Ortola and Ryusei Yamanaka, the Japanese rider impressing on the edge of the top five.

Championship leader Holgado was a full second down on Sasaki but it was good enough for sixth, ahead of Kaito Toba, Stefano Nepa and Jose Antonio Rueda.

Rounding out the top ten in the dry, Matteo Bertelle emerged fastest of all in the wet during P2, ahead of Adrian Fernandez - returning to Moto3 this weekend by stepping in for the injured Tetsuki Suzuki at Leopard Racing - and Oncu.

Of the VisionTrack Racing Brits, Scott Ogden completed his day in 16th, with Josh Whatley enjoying a more competitive day in 22nd of 29 bikes.

German Moto3, Sachsenring | Combined Friday Practice Results

Friday | Conditions - P1 Dry, P2 Wet