2016 Misano MotoGP FP2 Result: Fast Espargaro, Consistent Lorenzo

If keeping count of cancelled lap times, you might have been under the impression that you were watching a Moto3 session this afternoon, but no, it was indeed the big boys being naughty in Misano.

After Jorge Lorenzo held the lead for a significant portion of FP2, it was Pol Espargaro who took an extra step from this morning to lead another session for Yamaha. Following the world championship leader on track, Espargaro put in a lap almost half a second faster than Lorenzo’s previous benchmark, becoming the first man into the 1:32s. While the rest chipped away at his lead, he still kept top position as the checkered flag came out.

God Ra also smiled on Dani Pedrosa, the forty degrees of track temperature helping the small Spaniard into second position, less than a tenth off the Tech 3 leader. Ducati put a man into the top three as well, Andrea Dovizioso a tenth off the lead.

Jorge Lorenzo also basked in the sunshine, some more heat in the front tyre helping him on his way to top spot for most of the session, falling back to fourth eventually but showing consistent pace, ahead of championship rival Marc Marquez, the Honda rider only a tenth behind.

After leading the morning session to the delight of the audience, Valentino Rossi didn’t pick up much pace but did pick a fight with an impeding Aleix Espargaro. An agitated Italian crossed the line sixth, ahead of Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding and Hector Barbera, all within two tenths of the Yamaha veteran.

Maverick Viñales was an early leader, dropping back eventually to the bottom of the top ten after several cancelled lap times, pipping his teammate for tenth on the last lap.

Andrea Iannone did not take part in FP2 as he was still tending to a fractured vertebra from the fast fall suffered in the morning, his participation in the race unclear until further checks.

Results: