Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi from Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team became the first rider to set below two minutes during this weekend's 2017 Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) third Free Practice session at the Sepang Circuit (SIC) here. He clocked one minute and 59.947 seconds.

The Italian, who is the most successful rider in Sepang with six wins in the premier class, took advantage of the fine weather during the morning session, after setting 2:01.662s in the first session and 2:13.071s in the rain affected second session, yesterday.

French rider Johan Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 set the second fastest lap with 2:00.024s, while Spaniard Dani Pedrossa from the Respol Honda Team ended up in third place with 2:00.087s, ahead of his teammate and championship leader Marc Marquez who had to settle for ninth place with 2:00.467s.

Another Italian, Franco Morbidelli from EG 0,0 Marc VDS team tops the Moto2 category with 2:06.065s, followed by Francesco Bagnaia from Sky Racing Team VR46 (2:06.679s) and Miguel Oliveira of Red Bull KTM Ajo (2:06.698s).

Local talents Hafizh Syahrin representing Petronas Raceline Malaysia ranked 11th with 2:07.639s while Khairul Idham Pawi Idemitsu Honda Team Asia settled in 27th place with after clocking 2:08.585s.

In the Moto3, Del Conca Gresini Moto3's Jorge Martiin topped the practice session with 2:15.606s, followed by Juanfran Guevara of RBA BOE Racing Team (2:16.606s) and newly crowned world champion, Joan Mir from Leopard Racing (2:16.101s).

Malaysians Adam Norrodin representing SIC Racing Team finished in sixth place (2:.16.465s) while wildcard entry Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin riding for Petronas Sprinta Racing took 20th place with 2:17.727s.

-- BERNAMA