FRANCE, May 18, 2018 (News Wires) - World champion Marc Marquez topped the first free practice times on Friday ahead of Sunday's French Grand Prix at Le Mans. The 25-year-old Honda rider leads the world championship standings after four races having won the last two GP. He edged out Italian Andrea Dovizioso by just 25 thousandths of a second, with fellow Spaniard Maverick Vinales third at 0.067sec. Veteran seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi was sixth fastest with another former world champion, Spain's Jorge Lorenzo eighth. Surprisingly, Marquez's Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa could manage only 15th place, almost a second slower. The 32-year-old is still recovering from a broken wrist suffered during the Argentine GP last month. Meanwhile, British Superbikes champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne is expected to make a full recovery after crashing during testing at Snetterton on Thursday. Byrne will need back surgery following the crash on the third lap of the opening session at the Norfolk circuit. Byrne was reported to be unconscious after receiving treatment before being taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital for further tests. His PMB Be Wiser Ducati team released a statement on Friday morning updating the situation after Byrne remained under observation overnight. "He remains in hospital following yesterday's test. He will undergo surgery on his vertebrae and possibly neck however will make a full recovery. Thank you all for your well wishes - we will keep you posted."
