You are here

MotoGP, FP2: Marquez unstoppable, Lorenzo chasing, Rossi 10th

Behind the Majorcan is Folger, then Dovizioso fourth followed by Petrucci, Rabat and Zarco, 8th for Pedrosa, Vinales down in 16th

MotoGP: FP2: Marquez unstoppable, Lorenzo chasing, Rossi 10th

Share


The tests held two weeks ago have made things easier for Honda and Ducati, confirming their competitiveness at the Barcelona track again in FP2. Marc Marquez continues to shine at Montmelò this afternoon, stopping the clock on 1’44”295, one second and a half quicker than this morning. No-one seems to be getting in the five-time champ's way, not even the Ducati of Loris Baz, which he came across through the new chicane after a crash for the Frenchman.

Marc did well to avoid him, racing to the line to set the quickest overall time. Behind him, a Ducati. Not that of Andrea Dovizioso though, but rather Jorge Lorenzo, who was leading a few minutes from the end after putting a medium, slick tyre. The Majorcan closed four tenths behind his fellow countryman (+0.405), but this is nevertheless a sign that should not be underestimated ahead of tomorrow's FP3.

While Honda races ahead, Yamaha must play catch-up. Once again, it is the 2016 version of the M1 that is flying the flag for the Japanese manufacturer. Just as in FP1, the fastest was Jonas Folger (+0.544), who closed third, one tenth behind the #99 GP17. Seventh for the M1 of Johann Zarco, more than seven tenths from the front (+0.778). The two factory bikes were even further back. Only at his last attempt did Valentino Rossi manage to scrape into tenth place (+0.823), while Maverick Vinales lies sixteenth (+1.515), a second and half off Marc's pace.

A black afternoon for the Spaniard, due the lack of grip offered by the track. He'll have his work cut out for him in tomorrow's FP3.

Back to the top end of the timesheet and Andrea Dovizioso seems to be faring well (+0.588), fast with the medium and soft tyre and in fourth place, followed by just 0.007 of a second by the Ducati Pramac of Danilo Petrucci. Tito Rabat on the Honda is also inside the top ten (6th, +0.627) as is the factory bike of Dani Pedrosa (8th, +0.803)

A crash for Alvaro Bautista at turn 14 this afternoon, with the bike left in a dangerous spot on track. After getting back up, the Spaniard was able to close ninth, just 0.002 ahead of the Doctor. Barbera also suffered a fall, at turn 10, as did Cal Crutchlow (+1.672) who closed twentieth.  Thirteenth for Iannone (+1.170) ahead of the Aprilia of Aleix Espargarò (+1.259).

Translated by Heather Watson
__

Related articles