Valencia MotoGP: Bautista Tops Wet FP2

2011 MotoGP

The second free practice at Valencia occurred under rainy conditions, forcing the MotoGP grid to slow due to extremely slippery conditions.

But when the 45-minute session was up, it was Rizla Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista topping FP2, the Spaniard posting a 1:47.975. Although Bautista, who donned a “58” on his helmet as a tribute to the late Marco Simoncelli, was fastest in FP2, he was over two seconds slower than Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner in FP1 (1:45.513).

Following Bautista in the wet conditions was Pramac Racing Ducati’s Randy de Puniet and Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden. De Puniet was 0.341 of a second behind Bautista, with Hayden 0.709 of a second back, and the last to post within a minute of Bautista.

Fourth fastest was Cardion AB Ducati’s Karel Abraham, following by Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow, Reposl Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi.

Eighth fastest in FP2 was the 2011 MotoGP Champion, Stoner, followed by teammate Dani Pedrosa and Colin Edwards’ replacement on the other Monster Tech 3 Yamaha, American Superbike Champion Josh Hayes.

The slippery conditions caused three crashes – LCR Honda’s Toni Elias, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies and the late Marco Simoncelli’s San Carlo Honda Gresini teammate, Hiroshi Aoyama. All three riders walked way unharmed.

But for overall quickest Friday times, the first free practice brought all the fastest times. For the Valencia FP1 MotoGP results, click here.

The 16-rider grid will return to Valencia Saturday morning for the third and final free practice ahead of MotoGP qualifying.

2011 Valencia MotoGP: Free Practice 2 Results