Takaaki Nakagami topped his first free practice session of the 2021 MotoGP season at the Red Bull Ring, while Miguel Oliveira suffered a big highside at turn three. 𝄹  

Joan Mir was the early pace setter as he led a Monster Energy Yamaha 2-3 of Maverick VIn𝔉ales and Fabio Quartararo. 

The order remained largely the same throughout the second runs, exceptꦯ when Marc Marquez jumped from tenth to se𝓡cond on used medium tyres. 

Fellow Honda rider Nakagami was next to significantly improve as he went fastest with 14 minutes remaining, however, the Japanese rider’s time was deleted for exceeding track limꦡits. 

But with just a few minutes left, Nakagami improved again - this time kept his lap - w♕hich eventually saw🌸 him pip Mir with his final lap. 

Be♈hind Espargaro was Alex Rins iꦯn fourth, while Pol Espargaro jumped up the order to fifth with his final attempt - one spot ahead of team-mate Marquez. 

Vinales and Quart🀅araro were two riders not to set a time attack and instead focused on used tyre performance. The pair finished seventh and eighth respecti♏vely. 

The top Ducati was Johann Zarco who finished ninth jus🌃t ahead of factory rider Jack Miller. 

Iker Lecuona suffered an early crash at turn three in what’s expected to be the Spaniard’s last 💯sea𒁏son in MotoGP. 

𝐆Dani Pedrosa enjoyed an impressive return to competitive action as he finished 11th quicke๊st - top KTM. 

Pedrosa’s first session back wasn’t without issues though, as the 35🌺 year💟-old pulled off the Spielberg circuit with an apparent mechanical problem with 18 minutes to go. 

More drama followed fꦫor the home manufacturer as one of the pre-weekend favorites Oliveira suffered a big highside on the exit of turn three moments later. Worryingly, the Portuguese rider seemed dazed after hitting his head and right shoulder. 

Oliveira returned to pit lane on the back of a scooter, but did not reappear🐻 for the final few minutes and was later sent for medical checks, which KTM said revealed no frac🔯tures.