Takaaki Nakagami (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) topped Moto2™ FP1 at the Twin Ring Motegi, staking his claim early in his home GP weekend. Reigning Champion Johann Zarco (Ajo Motorsport) was P2, ahead of Lorenzo Baldassari (Forward Racing). Title contender Alex Rins (Paginas Amarillas HP 40) struggled first time out, down in P21.
2014 winner Tom Luthi (Garage Plus Interwetten) was fourth quickest, with Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 rider Sam Lowes in fifth after a sudden leap up the timesheets near the end of the session.
Early topper of the timesheets Franco Morbidelli (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) was P6, with AGR Team’s Marcel Schrotter in P7. Simone Corsi (Speed Up Racing) was eighth despite a crash – rider ok – with Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) in P9.
Danny Kent (Leopard Racing) completed the top ten in a good first session in Japan, as teammate Miguel Oliveira is forced to miss the round as he recovers from a broken collarbone.