It was a good day for two Kawasaki-mounted Brits in the Czech GP qualifying races at Loket. Adam Sterry was sixth in the MX2 race while Tommy Searle, making his 2019 debut on the factory Kawasaki, was also sixth in MXGP.

He said: “P6 in Qualifying today second best lap time of the race too. More of the same tomorrow would be great. I felt we improved each session. I’m struggling a bit with my ribs but running up front took my mind off them!”

Romain Febvre led a Yamaha one-two of the MXGP race, tailed by Jeremy Seewer. Championship leader Tim Gajser slipped off while in third and dropped down to fifth but got back on and finished third after passing Arnaud Tonus on the last lap.