Second free practice in Malaysia sees Folger on top once more

The afternoon session started dry, and it was once again Folger who was on blistering form as he set the fastest time of the day with a 2.15’038, ousting Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Sandro Cortese into second by over two tenths. AirAsia-SIC-Ajo’s Khairuddin completed the top three, as the Malaysian looks to be on podium form – a feat that he is incredibly keen to achieve at his home circuit.

Estrella Galicia 0,0’s Miguel Oliveira looked to be enjoying the Sepang circuit as he put his bike in fourth, ahead of Team Italia FMI’s Alessandro Tonucci, who is continuing in the same vein as in Motegi. Racing Team Germany’s Louis Rossi came in sixth, with Tonucci’s teammate Romano Fenati in tow in seventh. RW Racing GP’s Luis Salom did well to finish eighth after being hit by Oliveira’s teammate Alex Rins earlier in the session.

Rins was trying to pass Salom on the inside when the two touched fairings and Rins went down. He was able to get back on his bike and finished the afternoon behind his compatriot in ninth. Motegi race winner, Red Bull’s Danny Kent, ended the session in tenth.

Blusens Avintia’s Maverick Viñales was confirmed to have split with his team, after not turning up for both free practice sessions. He cited his unhappiness with the bike and the team, whilst the team stated it was shocked with his statements and the timing and public manner of his exit. With the Spaniard being second in the championship, this puts Cortese in a very strong position to take the title on Sunday.