Indy MotoGP FP2: Stoner Edges Out Spies

2011 MotoGP

For most of the second free practice session for the Red Bull Indy Grand Prix, the American MotoGP pilot Ben Spies was in the lead, dominating like he did throughout FP1.

But during the final minutes of Free Practice 2, Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner returned to his usual self, posting the fastest time of 1:40.724; the Australian beat out Yamaha Factory Racing’s Spies, who had pole in last year’s Indy MotoGP, by 0.194 of a second. Stoner’s lap also became the new MotoGP fastest lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Taking the third fastest FP2 time was Stoner’s teammate Dani Pedrosa, who won at Indy last season. The Spaniard RC212V rider was 0.481 of a second slower than Stoner.

Fourth fastest was the reigning MotoGP Champion and last year’s podium finisher, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo. The final two to post within a second of Stoner were his teammate Andrea Dovizioso and America’s Colin Edwards (Monster Tech 3 Yamaha), respectively.

As for the third and final American in the 2011 MotoGP lineup, Nicky Hayden was eighth fastest aboard the Ducati Team GP11.1. His teammate, nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi struggled, posting the 11th fastest time, 1.681 seconds behind Stoner.

The MotoGP boys will be back on the 2.6-mile Indy circuit Saturday for Free Practice 3 at 10:10 a.m. (CDT), which will be followed by qualifying at 1:55 (CDT).

2011 Indy MotoGP: Free Practice 2 Results