Ducati’s Danilo PetrucciThe second day of Sepang MotoGP testing was marred by two things – scorching hot Malaysian temperatures and a high-speed crash by Avintia Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz.The Frenchman Baz crashed at over 180 mph on Sepang International Circuit’s main straight. Baz, who fortunately was able to return to the testing before day’s end, reportedly heard a sound from his Ducati GP14.2 just before the final corner where the crash occurred.
Following the incident, MotoGP testing was halted for an hour as Michelin – the new spec tire manufacturer – and the safety committee assessed the track. As a precaution, all soft tires were withdrawn for the remainder of the test, which ends on Wednesday. Baz would return to finish 19th overall.Before the switch to soft tires, Octo Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci was able to set the fastest lap of 2:00.095 – 0.6 of a second faster than the man who lead Sepang MotoGP Test day 1 – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Jorge Lorenzo.After the test, Petrucci said: “I’m happy for this result. We were quick and we made the most of the situation considered what has happened with Loris Baz. It’s nice to set the fastest lap time although obviously it is not entirely representative. To end up the day in first place, however, gives much satisfaction even to the team who did a brilliant job.“In the afternoon I could not go fast as hoped and this remains an important goal that we will try to get tomorrow. Improvements? Yes, compared to Monday we have made progress. The confidence with the bike and the tires is growing and electronics is improving too. But we are still far from the top riders: tomorrow we’ll try to get closer.”While getting used to the now-required Michelin hard tire, Lorenzo would post the second-fastest time of 2:00.155 – just 0.060 of a second slower than Petrucci. This was after Lorenzo suffered a fast fall at turn five and damaged his YZR-M1. The reigning MotoGP Champion was able to recover and quickly regain his rhythm, eventually setting his quickest time within 30 minutes of close.Also crashing at turn five were Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Esparagaro, who eventually finished 15th, and Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, who finished 12th. Another rider who suffered a crash during Sepang MotoGP Test day 2 was Marc VDS Racing Honda’s Tito Rabat – the only rookie in MotoGP; he crashed at turn 15, and was able to finish the day in 17thEarning the third quickest time was Avintia Ducati’s Hector Barbera, who posted the time while on soft tires before Baz’s crash. Fourth went to two-time MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez, who was 0.748 of a second behind Petrucci. LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow earned fifth, 0.804 off the pace.Sixth went to Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi, who was followed by Petrucci’s teammate Scott Reading and the top factory Ducati machine, Andrea Iannone on the GP16. The Italian was the final rider to post within a second of Petrucci.Earning ninth in his first timed sessions since 2012 was two-time MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner; the official Ducati test team rider posted a 2:01.103, finishing just 0.004 of a second ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Bradley Smith.As for Aspar MotoGP Team’s Eugene Laverty, he fell heavily on Monday and was initially diagnosed with a broken right hand. But it turned out to be a heavy sprain. Though Laverty missed Tuesday’s practice, he may return to test his fitness during Wednesday’s final day of testing, which begins at 10 a.m. local time.
