2011 Sachsenring MotoGP FP2 Result: Simoncelli Edges Lorenzo In Final Moments

Marco Simoncelli has taken control of the first day of practice at the Sachsenring, following up his fastest time in the morning session with the fastest time in this afternoon's FP2 session for the MotoGP class. The San Carlo Gresini Honda rider had been fast all throughout practice, sharing the top spot with Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, but Lorenzo looked like coming out on top right up until the very last moments. With his final flying lap, Simoncelli dislodged Lorenzo from the top of the standings, demoting the Spaniard to 2nd.

Dani Pedrosa set the 3rd fastest time, impressive given that the Repsol Honda rider is still recovering from surgery after his crash at Le Mans, and even more impressive given that Pedrosa also crashed during the morning session, tumbling through the gravel at the very fast right hander of Turn 11. Pedrosa's teammate Casey Stoner ended up in 4th, slowly finding his feet after a tentative start after a crash during the morning session. The championship leader had suffered a huge highside in FP1, getting tossed over the front of his Repsol Honda, and had been taken for examination to the Clinica Mobile. Fortunately, the X-rays showed he had not broken anything, and could continue to take part in the weekend. 

Andrea Dovizioso rounded out the trio of Repsol Hondas in 5th, finishing ahead of the first Ducati, the factory Marlboro machine of Nicky Hayden. Ben Spies ended the session behind Hayden in 7th, and in front of the Pramac Ducati of Randy de Puniet and the Rizla Suzuki of Alvaro Bautista. Karel Abraham rounded out the top 10, just over a second behind Simoncelli.

Sylvain Guintoli stepped in for Loris Capirossi at Pramac Ducati, after the Italian veteran decided he was not recovered enough to continue to take part. Guintoli's lack of time on the bike - with only one day of testing aboard the machine at Mugello after the race - saw the Frenchman end the session over 3.7 seconds behind Simoncelli.

Results: