Suzuki Speedy In Spain

Jun 12, 2015
2 min read

Aleix Espargaro stormed to top sport in the second free practice session of the day. The Suzuki rider has looked strong all day on both the medium and soft rear tyre, and it looks like the medium tyre will be the preferred race option for all teams. This throws the GSX-RR into the mix for both qualifying and the race. Espargaro found a huge chunk of time in the final sector to go three-tenths clear of the rest with a 1:41.158. Team-mate Maverick Vinales was 5th quickest, so really validating the new engine brought to Barcelona. Still lacking some top end in contrast to the other factory bikes around it, the GSX-RR has importantly gained some power without compromising its cornering.

Repsol Honda enjoyed another productive session after both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa finished up 2nd and 3rd respectively, giving some hope of a resolution to the RC213V's issues. Marquez, who is the only Honda rider running the new exhaust, posted a fastest lap of 1:41.443 towards the end, but ran wide at the start of his next flying lap at turn one. That to me suggests that the updates are only plastering over their problems, so I still think the race will be tricky. Pedrosa was three-tenths behind his team-mate and looking very happy. His riding style does mask the RC213V's problems somewhat, so he may enjoy a better time of it on Sunday.

Andrea Dovizioso ended up 4th after a tricky FP1. The Ducati GP15 is suffering from rear grip problems at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, but looked to have made some gains. Andrea Iannone was 6th.

Yamaha struggled this afternoon. Jorge Lorenzo was only 7th quickest whilst Valentino Rossi was 11th. Both Tech 3 Yamaha's also struggled in 9th and 14th. This is a circuit that should very much suit the YZR-M1, so this pace is quite surprising. But, as we've seen so often this season, Yamaha do seem to find something on Saturday morning, so tomorrow's FP3 session will be more telling.

Scott Redding crashed at turn ten with 17-minutes left on the clock. The Marc VDS Honda rider was okay and returned to the track on his second bike to go 10th quickest. Compatriot and fellow Honda rider Cal Crutchlow finished 8th.

FP2 Top 10:

1st Aleix Espargaro, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:41.158

2nd Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, 1:41.443

3rd Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team , 1:41.789

4th Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team, 1:41.823

5th Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki Ecstar, 1:41.922

6th Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team, 1:41.938

7th Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, 1:42.034

8th Cal Crutchlow, CWM LCR Honda, 1:42.044

9th Pol Espargaro, Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:42.313

10th Scott Redding, Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda, 1:42.354

Full results can be found here: