Lorenzo and Iannone under lap record in FP3

Jorge Lorenzo smashed the track record at Motegi with the Spaniard four tenths faster than the Ducati’s of Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso. Yesterday Valentino Rossi said that he was afraid that in qualifying, even with the soft tyre, the Ducati’s may not be able to beat Lorenzo and with their top speed advantage tomorrow’s race could be very difficult if he has to get past the Italian machines and stay in contention for the race win with Lorenzo.

Marc Marquez was fourth fastest ahead of Rossi who was seven tenths off the pace. Pol Espargaro crashed in the early stages of the session but was able to finish seventh fastest and outpace his teammate, Bradley Smith, who also crashed. Cal Crutchlow was sandwiched by the Tech3 Yamaha riders and was eighth fastest on his LCR Honda.

Scott Redding will have to once again attempt to navigate the minefield of Q1 with the Marc VDS rider missing out on a place in the top ten by less than one tenth of a second.