Johann Zarco emerged top of the timesheets in first Friday Practice for the German MotoGP at the Sachsenring, ahead of Marc Marquez on one of only two Hondas competing this weekend

In a session affected by spots of rain with around 15mins remaining, an improvement in the conditions during the latter minutes allowed the time attacks to flow freely, with Zarco on the Pramac Ducati emerging quickest with a 1m 20.702secs lap.

That was enough to leapfrog Marc Marquez, the Spaniard returning to the German venue after missing last year's event due to an operation on his troublesome shoulder.

Despite a big moment at Turn 7 early on, Marquez - seeking a record 12th win in Saxony - collected it before going on to stop the clock at 1m 20.854.

The eight-time World Champion is one of only two Hondas racing in Germany this weekend due to the injuries sustained by his Repsol Honda team-mate Joan Mir and LCR Honda stablemate Alex Rins.

Despite an early crash at Turn 1, Aleix Espargaro was third best on the Aprilia, heading off Ducati riders Alex Marquez and Jorge Martin in fourth and fifth.

Though he ended his session in the gravel trap at Turn 1, 2022 German MotoGP winner Fabio Quartararo hauled his Yamaha into sixth, with Brad Binder the best of the KTMs in seventh.

Rounding out the provisional top ten was championship leader Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio di Giannantonio on the second of the Gresini Ducatis and Marco Bezzecchi, who made it six Desmosedici bikes inside the provisional Q2 spots.

Elsewhere, Franco Morbidelli was another faller, the Italian joining his team-mate in ending his session on the sidelines at the Ralf Waldmann Curve

German MotoGP, Sachsenring | Practice 1 Results

Friday | Conditions - Spots of rain, overcast, mostly dry