2014 Qatar MotoGP FP2 Results | Espargaro Remains Quickest

2014 Qatar MotoGP FP2 Results

The pace quickened Friday during the second free practice of 2014 MotoGP at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit, and one rider remained untouchable – Aleix Espargaro.

The NGM Forward Racing YZR-M1 pilot, who was quickest by almost a half-second in Thursday’s Qatar MotoGP first free practice, knocked another 0.2 of a second off his lap time for a best of 1:54.989. This time also became the Fastest Lap so far at Qatar, though Jorge Lorenzo still holds the Best Lap with a 1:53.927 (Fastest Lap – quickest of current round; Best Lap – quickest lap ever set at circuit across practice, qualifying and race).

The Spaniard Aleix, who was the quickest Open-option rider throughout the preseason MotoGP tests, finished 0.331 of a second ahead of Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian pushed the GP14, which competes under the Open option, and knocked nearly two seconds off his Thursday FP1 time. Dovi experimented with a softer Bridgestone tire during FP2.

In third was GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista, who was 0.457 of a second behind Aleix at the 3.34-mile desert circuit containing 16 corners.

Next up were the Repsol Honda riders of Dani Pedrosa and the reigning MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez, respectively. Marquez was able to ride out of two huge wobbles as he recovers from a broken leg sustained six weeks ago while dirt-track training.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Bradley Smith and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl followed in sixth and seventh, respectively, with the rookie and younger brother of Aleix, Pol Espargaro, taking eight aboard his Monster Yamaha Tech 3. Pol also crashed early in the session, but was able to walk away unhurt.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi finished ninth, and was the final rider to post within a second of Espargaro. His fellow Italian Andrea Iannone finished just behind aboard the Pramac Racing Ducati. Next up was two-time MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo, who struggled throughout the practice session. He finished 1.183 seconds behind Aleix Espargaro.

As for the Americans Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden, both riders are having a tough time keeping up the pace. Edwards placed his NGM Forward Racing M1 in 12th, 1.249 seconds back. Hayden finished 14th quickest on the Drive M7 Aspar, 2.017 seconds back.

The 23-rider MotoGP grid will soon return to Losail for the third and final free practice of Friday.

2014 Qatar MotoGP Free Practice 2 Results: