Spanish star Marc Marquez set the early pace amid wild scenes at Phillip Island, clocking the fastest time in practice for the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix as a crash proved costly for local hope Jack Miller.
Marquez delivered a remarkable 1:27.770 lap in Friday's second practice session at the famous Victorian circuit, after a complete washout of the first.
Heavy rain and local wildlife, including geese and a rabbit, wreaked havoc throughout.
Marquez, a six-time MotoGP world champion, finished 0.102 seconds ahead of his brother and Gresini Racing teammate Alex Marquez.
Marco Bezzecchi was third in an all-Ducati top five and was one of four riders who completed practice laps in the 1:27 bracket.
MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin dusted off after an early crash and held onto fourth in practice, one spot ahead of title rival Francesco Bagnaia.
Spain's Martin (392 points) sits 10 points clear of Italy's reigning champion Bagnaia in the standings with four race weekends left.
Marc Marquez, a three-time winner in Australia (2015, 2017, 2019) relished the difficult conditions.
"We can say that these were my conditions," he told Fox Sports.
"Especially one of my strong points is to adapt well and quick to the conditions.
"I feel good but I expect tomorrow that the step of the others, especially Martin, will be bigger."
Australian favourite Miller crashed, then led the practice session and crashed again as he slid out of the top 10.
Miller and Pedro Acosta, who also paid for a late crash in practice, were both dumped from the Q2 places.
Miller was left with a bandaged right wrist after the session, for which he had high expectations but "mucked up".
"There's quite a bit of banking (at turn six) and I was going at a rapid rate of knots when she let go," Miller told Fox Sports.
"Luckily the gravel pits here are in good condition and they pulled me up, but in the tumble I must have smacked my wrist.
"I didn't even notice until I came back in the box and had blood all over my hand and little bit of a cut on my arm.
"I'm stiffer than I used to be. I don't bounce like I used to."
On Friday morning, wet weather at Phillip Island denied riders an important session on the newly-resurfaced circuit.
Teams had wanted dry weather to gather data on what tyres are best suited to the new asphalt.
Qualifying and the sprint race will take place on Saturday, ahead of the main race on Sunday.
Wild weather caused on the Australian grand prix in 2023.
The main race was held one day early and the sprint race was pushed back to the Sunday before eventually being called off.
Little rain is forecast over this weekend, with none expected on Sunday.
