Setting the pace in FP2 was Ducati’s Andrea Iannone. Setting a time of 1:55.388 he was 0.013s faster than Marc Marquez in second on the Repsol Honda. Power sliding his was to third was Britain’s own Scott Redding on his Pramac Ducati.
Continuing to impress in fourth was Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales, with Andrea Dovizioso in fifth on Ducati and Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa in sixth.
Valentino Rossi made a late charge to finish the session in seventh, with Avintia Ducati’s Hector Barbera in eighth and reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo languishing down in ninth. Rounding out the top 10 was Danilo Petrucci.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow and Frenchman Loris Baz got caught out on Michelin’s front tyre, both suffering front end slides into the final corner. However, neither rider was injured. Valentino Rossi was slightly luckier when he saved a monumental front end slide in turn nine.
The session took place under similar conditions expected for Sunday’s race. Most riders, therefore, took the opportunity to perform longer runs to select which tyre they will use in race trim. Riders will likely shoot for a fast time in FP3, which will take place at 17.55 GMT.
