Lorenzo on top in Qatar

World champion Jorge Lorenz's build-up to the start of the 2016 MotoGP season is well and truly on target after he blitzed the opening day of the final pre-season test at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

As he continues to feel more comfortable with the new Michelin tyres Lorenzo went to another level on day one (of three) by setting a best lap of 1:55.542 on his Movistar Yamaha, nearly half a second ahead of Ecstar Suzuki's Maverick Vinales — the two swapping spots at the top of the timesheets following on from the previous pre-season test at Phillip Island.

“I think we made a good start to the Qatar test, I have a good feeling especially with all tyres," said Lorenzo. "We still need to improve the electronics, but to be one of the fastest ones on the first day is a good beginning.

"The feeling with the tyres is much better compared to Phillip Island, the weather is better and the combination of this track, the bike and Michelin is similar to Sepang. Let‘s see how the performance will develop tomorrow.”

Vinales, putting in the most improved pre-season of any rider, said: “I’m happy with the work we could do today and for the result of this first day. We didn’t focus on testing so many things but more to find consistency in the improvement of the setting and the electronics. We have tested both the 2015 and 2016 chassis and the results are positive. Although my best lap was done with the old chassis, my feeling is that with the new one we are already very close and this leaves us a lot of room for improvement."

Hitherto, the only Suzuki rider to run the fully seamless gearbox is the company's test rider Takuya Tsuda (who's also in Qatar), but Viñales and his teammate Aleix Espargaro are hopeful of testing it on the second day and utilising in the first race — back in Qatar from March 18-20.

Behind Vinales, the top six was completed by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha), Andrea Iannone (Ducati), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Yakhnich Ducati) on the GP15 Ducati and pre-season surprise packet Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing Ducati).

Italian Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) was the only other rider within a second of Lorenzo back in seventh position, with the top 10 completed by Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Bradley Smith (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa (who was 13th) struggled to find a decent chassis setup, so that will be the major focus on day two. Meanwhile, Rossi, Crutchlow, Tito Rabat (EG 0.0 Marc VDS) and Aleix Espargaro all crashed, with Espargaro's spill briefly bringing out the red flag.

Australia's Jack Miller (EG 0.0 Marc VDS) was 16th, with Losail proving a greater challenge for his still healing broken leg than Phillip Island. Michele Pirro, who is replacing the injured Danilo Petrucci at the test, was 17th as he assists the Octo Pramac Yakhnich team in exploring its GP15.

One of the highlights ahead of the Qatar test was the unveiling of the new 2016 RS-GP, Stefan Bradl ending the day 19th. Both Bradl and Alvaro Bautista, 22nd, attended a private test at Qatar while the rest of the field were in Australia but are both well aware there is still a lot of work to do on the new bike.

Full times from day one are available here.