MotoGP World Championship leader Marc Marquez laid down a marker ahead of qualifying at the Red Bull Ring, topping the third free practice session by over three tenths of a second.

Topping the opening day by less than a tenth from Maverick Vinales, the World Champion laid down a marker to the rest of the MotoGP field when he fitted soft Michelin tyres to his Repsol Honda RC213V.

Marquez’ best time of a 1:23.251, was just a tenth off Andrea Iannone’s outright lap record was 0.340 seconds ahead of Vinales in second place. Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci were both just 0.002 seconds behind the Spaniard with both factory Ducati’s posting the same lap time, with Dovizioso getting the better of his team-mate by virtue of having the next fastest lap.

Fabio Quartararo was fifth fastest on his satellite Yamaha, whilst Valentino Rossi cleaned up his session to secure a spot directly into Q2 after a underwhelming Friday, putting three Yamaha’s in the top six at a circuit they historically struggle at.

Jack Miller was seventh as he continues to try and put the Jorge Lorenzo rumours out of his mind, with Taka Nakagami in eighth place on his LCR Honda. Alex Rins was ninth with Pol Espargaro giving KTM something to smile about at their home track by rounding out the top ten.

Cal Crutchlow will have to go through Q1, after his fastest lap was just 0.050 seconds behind that of the KTM man, with Miguel Oliveira and Franco Morbidelli also looking fast in twelfth and thirteenth respectively.