Stoner sets the pace again in MotoGP FP2

The Australian’s lap time of 1’55:457 was achieved on his third lap of FP2 and was 1.3 seconds faster than his best time posted on Thursday in FP1.

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) was once again his nearest rival and finished 0.397 seconds behind his team-mate. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) moved up three places from FP1 to be third quickest, 0.659 off Stoner’s best lap.

Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) was fourth quickest, setting his best time during his long run. Reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) had an issue with the bike that limited his time on track at the beginning of FP2, but ended up in fifth position, two places higher than FP1 and 0.763 seconds off the rRepsol Honda’s fastest time.

It was a good session for both riders from Monster Yamaha Tech 3 with Colin Edwards recording the sixth fastest lap and the injured Cal Crutchlow setting an impressive time to finish eighth.

Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Honda Gresini Team) continued his good pace set in pre-season testing by setting the seventh fastest time. Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) wasn’t happy with rookie Karel Abraham (Cardion ab Motoracing) after the Czech rider tried to gain the slipstream from the Ducati Team rider and he ended up ninth fastest overall. His fellow Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden finished just behind him in tenth.

1.169 seconds covered the top ten riders in FP2 for the premier class. The MotoGP riders will back on track later this evening for FP3.