MotoGP: Dovi celebrates new contract with top spot

Andrea Dovizioso has celebrated his new two-year Ducati contract extension by taking top spot on the opening day of action at the French Grand Prix, dipping under the outright lap record at the Le Mans circuit to end day one fastest.

The Italian finished ahead of Marc Marquez and the Yamaha duo of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, with light at the end of the tunnel for the pair after a long year since VInales’ last victory at the Le Mans circuit last year.

Last year’s second place finisher and home favourite Johann Zarco was fifth, ahead of Jack Miller and a strong showing from the KTM of Pol Espargaró, with the injured Dai Pedrosa, the Aprilia of Aleix Espargaró and Jorge Lorenzo on the second Ducati.

Cal Crutchlow was the best of the Brits in 11^th, but lost out on a chance to secure his Q2 spot early in the weekend when he crashed out in the final minutes of the session.