Race ace in new tragedy

No one looked ready to make a challenge until Lorenzo came out with just over two minutes remaining and stuck in a lap of 1min 20.885secs to jump to the top of the time-sheets with the only sub-1.21min lap of the day.

Marquez then lost the front at turn 12 and had to rely on one of his trademark saves, ending the day fifth.

But the reigning champion – who boasts eight wins at Sachsenring including five in MotoGP – warned there is more to come.

“It was a good first day, even if our opponents are closer compared to last year,” said Marquez. “The weekend will be completely dry so things on Sunday should again be very tight.

“We will try to take another little step with the setup in FP3 because I’m not yet able to make the bike slide like I want, it’s important here.”

Second fastest yesterday was Alma Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci, who ended the day just 0.257secs behind with Iannone third, Lorenzo’s Ducati team-mate Andrea Dovizioso fourth and Marquez fifth. Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was ninth. JAMES COWTON became the third bikes racer to be killed in a week after a four-rider crash during the final 600cc race at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man.

The 26-year-old from Driffield, East Yorkshire had been having his bestever season with a first Northwest 200 win in May and two second place podiums earlier on Thursday.

Another victim, Ivan Lintin, remained in a critical condition last night.

The two-times Isle of Man TT winner was flown to Liverpool for further treatment while the two other riders, Jamie Coward and Michael Evans, suffered shoulder and leg injuries.

Cowton’s death follows a tough five days for motorcycle racing in the UK.

Last Saturday, William Dunlop was killed during an Irish road race and on Wednesday 28-year-old club racer Kyle O’Donovan from London died after a crash at Brands Hatch on Sunday.