2014 COTA MotoGP FP2 Result: Marquez .................... Everyone Else

Perhaps it was the rumor that a certain retired Australian was in Texas and planned to stop by. Regardless, Marc Marquez did his best Casey Stoner impression during FP2 when he gapped the field by more than a full second Friday at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. Marquez's time -- 2'03.490 -- was just four-tenths of a second from his pole position lap in 2013.

Andrea Dovisioso again showed the short-term quickness of the Ducati with a 2'04.485, almost exactly one second slower than Marquez's time. Dani Predrosa upped his pace late to grab third, another tenth back. Ducati's other Andrea -- the Iannone model -- managed an impressive fifth on his satellite bike. Valentino Rossi, who held third early in practice, dropped to fifth, just in front of Aleix Espargaro and his open class Yamaha in sixth.

Stefan Bradl, who ran strong in Qatar before crashing out, sits in seventh. An obviously irritated Jorge Lorenzo climbed into eighth after spending much of the day's final MotoGP practice in 11th. Cal Crutchlow (9th) and Bradley Smith (10th) rounded out the top 10.

If the field can take any solace tonight over dinner, it is that Marquez didn't manage the top time in each of the track's four timing sectors as he did in FP1. While the young Spaniard is quickest in the first three, Aleix Espargaro managed to grab the top time in sector four which leads to the start-finish line.

The news, for most, is cold comfort in the warming weather.

Qualifying practice will take place Saturday.

Results: