Submitted by David Emmett on
A rain-sodden track which dried as the second session of MotoGP free practice progressed saw Alvaro Bautista come out on top. The Rizla Suzuki rider was fast throughout the session, taking control in the final five minutes from Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden. Hayden was on course to take back top spot from Bautista, but a couple of slides in the second sector slowed the American up.
Pramac Ducati's Randy de Puniet set the 3rd fastest time, with Karel Abraham 4th fastest, though the Cardion AB rider ended the session with a big crash in Turn 1. Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow ended the session in 5th, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, the Repsol Honda man the first Honda rider in the session. Valentino Rossi just edged ahead of Casey Stoner, who was in turn just over a tenth faster than his Repsol teammate Dani Pedrosa. Josh Hayes posted an impressive 10th fastest time, the double AMA Superbike champion assisted by the fact that the MotoGP bikes use steel brakes in the wet, giving him one less thing to have to learn.
Results:
| Pos | No. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff | Diff Previous |
| 1 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | SUZUKI | 1'47.975 | ||
| 2 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | DUCATI | 1'48.316 | 0.341 | 0.341 |
| 3 | 14 | Randy DE PUNIET | DUCATI | 1'48.684 | 0.709 | 0.368 |
| 4 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | DUCATI | 1'49.021 | 1.046 | 0.337 |
| 5 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | YAMAHA | 1'49.350 | 1.375 | 0.329 |
| 6 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | HONDA | 1'49.422 | 1.447 | 0.072 |
| 7 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | DUCATI | 1'49.613 | 1.638 | 0.191 |
| 8 | 27 | Casey STONER | HONDA | 1'49.674 | 1.699 | 0.061 |
| 9 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | HONDA | 1'49.820 | 1.845 | 0.146 |
| 10 | 41 | Josh HAYES | YAMAHA | 1'50.509 | 2.534 | 0.689 |
| 11 | 89 | Katsuyuki NAKASUGA | YAMAHA | 1'51.277 | 3.302 | 0.768 |
| 12 | 65 | Loris CAPIROSSI | DUCATI | 1'51.838 | 3.863 | 0.561 |
| 13 | 8 | Hector BARBERA | DUCATI | 1'51.932 | 3.957 | 0.094 |
| 14 | 11 | Ben SPIES | YAMAHA | 1'52.072 | 4.097 | 0.140 |
| 15 | 7 | Hiroshi AOYAMA | HONDA | 1'53.286 | 5.311 | 1.214 |
| 16 | 24 | Toni ELIAS | HONDA | 1'54.342 | 6.367 | 1.056 |
Comments
Josh Hayes
Although largely meaningless in such fickle conditions, Hayes performance is nonetheless most impressive being only 2.5 secs away from the top in both sessions. New track, new bike, new tyres. Good on him.
Hayes
Yeah, he should swap bikes with the guy on Lorenzo's bike...
who'll stop the rain
not often you see a Suzuki in first and 2nd through 4th filled out by Ducatis.
i hope Bautista does well this race. he's been so close to pulling off something impressive recently and it'd be nice for Suzuki to have a little encouragement.
Impressive ride from Mr.
Impressive ride from Mr. Bautista. I hope he shames suzuki's withdraw with a win... if that's even logical.
Mr. Hayes, well played, sir! I hope he shames the factories for putting less then fast retirement home riders in as subs over the last few years whlie so many young and talented riders sit on the bench.
Thank you Loris for finding the gas in fp1. Keep the thought. Win it or bin it, sir. Glory for you and 58. It is now or never.
Let's go out in style! Something tells me it's all down hill from here :(
Retirement age
Is Nakasuga actually older than Hayes? While Hayes is talented, at 36 I don't think he qualifies as "young".
Only
when compared to Edwards or Capirossi!
Hayes...
Is showing his worth on a racing motorcycle. He is going about his business in a calm, professional manner befitting of a champion. I believe once the inevitable happens (full CRT grid) riders like Hayes and many others will get a chance to show their worth on the world stage.
Bautista is showing Suzuki's short sightedness. He has gone above the call, and Suzuki is just not reciprocating the effort at the moment. It's a damn shame...
I worry Alvaro's faith in Suzuki will cost him dearly next season as ride options dry up. I believe he would be a consistent podium contender on a satellite Honda RC213V.
Roll on Valencia. I just wish I could be there in person to listen to all those bikes sing their tribute to the magnanimous Super Sic...
The CRT's are coming
Inevitable indeed Ren-jr (Randy Renfrew jr. ?). Apparently Ezpeleta dropped a bombshell during a radio interview today stating there would be no factory machines on the grid 2013, a control ECU and rev ceiling. What say you to this Mr Honda?
Factory CRTs
I think Mr Honda will say "Bring it on"!
And they will still win.
Good old Toni!
This is a funny looking list, riders not in the order we're used to seeing this year. It's good to see at least Toni Elias is consistent :)