A frenetic end to Moto3’s first day of testing in Qatar saw Darryn Binder claim the opening honours with a fastest time of 2’05.750.

A seemingly seamless switch from KTM to Honda power saw Binder head the times alongside new Petronas teammate John McPhee. The Scot’s 2021 season getting off to an equally impressive start as he finished Friday just 0.026 behind the South African, in second place, having initially led the way for the concluding 20 minutes of the day’s third session.

Less than 0.2s separated the top-six riders at the close of the first day’s three hours on track, with Filip Salac heading Dennis Foggia, Gabriel Rodrigo and Jaume Masia, while Andrea Migno and Romano Fenati kept themselves in contention in seventh and eighth.

Kickstarting his Moto3 career in fine style, rookie Izan Guevara had initially been trailing the strong SRT duo as he looked to claim third in the standings for his new Aspar team before the final flurry of activity saw the standings switch. The young Spaniard eventually slid into ninth, just three-tenths off the lead, as the flag came out.

New Avintia signing, Niccolò Antonelli, started his 10th year in the lightweight class 10th in the standings with Jeremy Alcoba for close company, ahead of second rookie Pedro Acosta and Sergio Garcia. Riccardo Rossi and Kaito Toba concluded the top-15.