Australian MotoGP ace Jack Miller has made a stunning return to the track, posting top-10 times in each of Friday’s opening free practice sessions at Phillip Island.

Miller broke his leg three weeks ago in a training accident near his European base in Andorra.

Racing with a plate and eight screws inserted just below his right knee, the Queenslander was third quickest in the morning session and sixth by the end of the second practice.

The 22-year-old missed last week’s Japanese MotoGP as he undertook a gruelling recovery regime, with Friday morning’s session his first time back on a motorbike since the accident.

“It was a good first day for me on the island … the leg is pretty stiff but I feel pretty happy,” Miller said.

“It will be three weeks (on Saturday) since I had the operation so, in such a small timeframe to get back and be able to turn it on today, was pretty good.

“I’m comfortable on the bike – when I’m riding, I don’t really feel it too much, but I just don’t quite have the power that I need in the right leg.

“Apart from that, it’s very good and I’m just looking forward to qualifying.”

Championship leader Marc Marquez was quickest around the Phillip Island circuit in the opening practice session, but Aprilia Racing Team’s Aleix Esparago edged his Spanish compatriot into second by just 0.005 seconds in the afternoon.

Marquez’s main world title rival, Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, posted the third-fastest time.

Broc Parkes, the only other Australian on the MotoGP grid, put up the slowest time in both sessions in his first ride on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3.

The 35-year-old from NSW was a late injury replacement for German Jonas Folger.

In Moto2 practice, Australian rider Remy Gardner (Tech 3 Racing) crashed out early in the first session, but was able to return to post the 24th-fastest time and improved to 21st after the second session.

Tom Toparis, an Australian wildcard rider in Moto3, posted the slowest time after two practice sessions on his Cube Racing KTM.