Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo, fresh from the announcement that he will join Ducati from next season, dominated proceedings during the Friday practice sessions at Jerez.
The Spaniard dominated in the sessions that saw basically all of the main factory teams try new experimental parts, including many embracing the new winglets that have become popular this season.
Marc Marquez was the closest rider to Lorenzo, with the Repsol Honda rider 0.345 seconds off Lorenzo’s pace at the end of FP2. Marquez admitted afterwards that he still wasn’t entirely comfortable with his bike setup, and that he hopes to keep improving during the weekend.
Third place was occupied by Aleix Espargaro, who finished a respectable third place on his Suzuki GSX-RR. Espargaro was one of a number of riders who trialled the winglets, but his fastest time was set without them.
Hector Barbera continues to show that there is still life in the GP14.2, with the Avintia rider finishing the session in fourth place. Valentino Rossi was fifth, with the Yamaha rider 0.727 seconds off his teammate.
Maverick Vinales, who is the favourite to partner Valentino Rossi at Yamaha next year, finished in sixth. Andrea Dovizioso and Scott Redding finished seventh and eighth respectively.
It was a strong showing for Aspar’s Eugene Laverty, who finished in tenth just behind Dani Pedrosa. Laverty and Pedrosa finished with exactly the same time, something that will no doubt give the Irishman confidence.
The British pair of Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith will be slightly disappointed with their early showings at Jerez, with the LCR Honda and Tech 3 Yamaha riders placed in thirteenth and sixteenth place.
The MotoGP riders are back out tomorrow at 08:55 BST for FP3.
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