German former MotoGP rider Stefan Bradl made a popular transition from broadcasting booth to pit box halfway through the first day of free practice at the Sachsenring – and impressed by slotting into 21st place out of 25.

Bradl, who finished fourth here in 2013, had started the day as an expert analyst for German TV, but was standing by to step into the EG-VDS team, should Franco Morbidelli find it all too much.

Bradl, German MotoGP 2018

The Italian, who suffered left-hand fractures in a free practice fall at Assen two weeks ago, was passed fit to ride at the Sachsenring. But after a painful struggle in the first free practice session, he reluctantly withdrew.

Bradl, who previously rode for LCR and then Aprilia, left MotoGP after 2016 for a year in World Superbikes, and is currently a test rider for HRC.

  • Red Bull KTM Moto3 rider Brad Binder was also out of the race, after breaking his collarbone in a testing crash. His place was taken by Junior World Championship leader Raul Fernandez, in his sixth GP. He finished tenth in a wild card ride in Catalunya.

By Michael Scott

Photos Gold n Goose