World champion Marc Marquez of Spain has led the way in all three free practice sessions ahead of Sunday’s season-opening Qatar MotoGP.

The 22-year-old Honda rider, winner in Qatar last season, finished 0.096sec ahead of Britain’s Cal Crutchlow on his Honda LCR.

Italy’s Andrea Iannone was third-fastest at 0.170sec with the Ducati rider crashing late in the session after spending a long spell in front.

Marquez’s teammate Dani Pedrosa, who has never won in 11 attempts in Qatar, was fifth-fastest ahead of Italy’s Andrea Dovizioso.

The two Yamahas of Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy were eighth and ninth respectively.