Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia was back to his front-running best at Jerez after completing Friday practice third overall.

A steady start to the weekend saw Bagnaia 13th in the morning session as damp patches impacted FP1’s progress before a more confident afternoon allowed the Italian’s improvement to the top three. A 1’37.762 saw Bagnaia two-tenths shy of Fabio Quartararo’s leading effort and a mere 0.011s off Enea Bastianini in second as the Angel Nieto Circuit proved once again how close  the premier class could be.

"I'm delighted with this first day here in Jerez,” Bagnaia said from the Andalucian paddock. “As was the case at Portimao, I've finally found positive sensations that allow me to ride the way I want to.

“The shoulder is bothering me a little bit, but it doesn't limit my riding. I'm satisfied and confident that I can do well in qualifying tomorrow.”

Having initially had a question mark over his fitness a week ago in Portugal after a heavy qualifying - before racing to an impressive eighth at the flag from the back of the grid - Bagnaia was straight back to his front running pace at the Spanish track. “Is not incredible for me,” he said. “I already raced in Portimao.

"It's true that I feel a lot of pain but fortunately when I concentrate on riding, I don't have so much pain because I think other things. The only problem is that if the bike start shaking a lot, like in the FP2, in the time attack the bike started to shake a bit and I started to feel more pain but in a normal situation is okay.

"The feeling is great,” he continued turning his attention to his Desmosedici. “Also from the race in Portimao that I feel great, I started with the same base of the bike and from the start of the day, I feel great. This morning we had a little mechanical issue that affected a bit my FP1, but this afternoon everything was okay and I started to feel everything that was great.”

When questioned on the work schedule for the opening day, the Italian’s answer was simple: "On me,” he explained. “On me. We touch a bit the bike but we come back in the FP2 and I've just done laps to gain the feeling and everything worked so perfectly.

“I think in the braking we are very strong, also in the middle of the corner, corner speed. I think that is a good track for my riding style and also the bike is suiting it very well.

“Tomorrow morning will be cold but we will try to do two time attacks to have a good possibility to stay in the top ten,” he continued. “The FP4 will be very important to try the pace for the race because is the most important thing in this track.”