Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) topped the second day of testing for the new era of Moto2™ in southern Spain despite a crash, with the Malaysian GP winner having just been beaten to the honour late on Friday. His 1:41.524 put him just over two and a half tenths clear of his nearest rival, Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), with the Brit once again a force to be reckoned on his return to the Gresini squad. Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completed the top three, and was another frontrunner who crashed.
Rain interrupted action mid-way through the day, and in the final session only Steven Odendaal (NTS RW Racing), Lukas Tulovic (Kiefer Racing) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) went out - so the combined timings were decided much earlier. In those combined timings, fourth was Remy Gardner (SAG Team) as the Australian ended the day less than a tenth off Marquez, with the top five completed by Friday's fastest, Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP 40). The Italian was close though, just 0.044 off Gardner.
Jorge Navarro (Speed Up Racing) began his Speed Up career in a solid P6 in a tight top ten, with Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Augusto Fernanández (Pons HP40) in seventh and eighth respectively. Tetsuta Nagashima (SAG Team) and Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), changing team, completed the top ten on Day 2.
Then came the first of the rookies: Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46), another who impressed despite a crash. Bulega was also the quickest debutant on Friday and ended Day 2 in P11 - more solid form from the Italian as fellow rookies Fabio Di Giannantonio (Speed Up Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) took P16 and P17 respectively. Marco Bezzecchi (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was P24, whereas reigning Moto3™ World Champion Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) sits on the sidelines injured. His teammate, Brad Binder, was P13 and fastest KTM, with Martin's replacement Iker Lecuona beginning his stint just behind Bezzecchi.
The fastest MV Agusta on their return to the paddock was Stefano Manzi, who slotted into fourteenth.
Sunday brings more track action for the intermediate class as the new era of Triump power begins - don't miss a thing from Day 3 of the Official Test! For results, click here.