Conditions were perfect as the riders headed out on track for Q1. The bar was set high early on as Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) went top with a scintillating 1:37.675, setting the benchmark with a new all-time lap record, and taking his Honda to the absolute limit. Tensions were high as riders such as Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), Alex Rins (LCR Honda CASTROL), and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) chased down the eight-time World Champion.