Elías takes hold of Moto2 at Motegi

Toni Elías' final lap of the Moto2 FP2 session at Motegi delivered the Spaniard top spot on the timesheet, as he set about preparing himself for a pole challenge later on Saturday on board his Moriwaki machine of the Gresini Racing team. The Championship leader's best time of 1'53.671 was enough to secure him the edge ahead of a number of his pursuers in the overall standings.

Closest of those was Julián Simón (Mapfre Aspar), who was quickest in the first practice yesterday. He was 0.280s off Elías and the only other rider to break the 1'54" barrier in the session. Following in third and fourth respectively were Thomas Lüthi (Interwetten Moriwaki Racing) and Andrea Iannone (Fimmco Speed Up), the latter of whom dealt with an early run off that had no lasting consequences.

Simone Corsi (JiR Moto2), Dominique Aegerter (Technomag-CIP), Yonny Hernández (Blusens-STX) and Roberto Rolfo (Italtrans STR) completed the top eight. Scott Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team) placed 11th after remounting his Suter bike following a crash 25 minutes into the session.