MotoGP: Lorenzo takes control in FP2, Marquez crashes

Jorge Lorenzo was quickest in this afternoon’s second free practice for the final round of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship in Valencia while title contender Marc Marquez suffered his 26^th crash of the season.

Fifth quickest this morning, Marquez had shown incredible consistency on the medium option rear tyre and while the Spaniard switched to the soft as the temperature went up for the afternoon practice, he remained on the single tyre throughout the 45-minute session. However, immediately after setting his quickest time he crashed out at turn two.

Lorenzo topped the session with a time of 1’30.640 ahead of Dani Pedrosa while Marquez’ title rival Andrea Dovizioso was third quickest, but pointed out Marquez had superior race pace on the opening day.

Johann Zarco was fourth quickest, ahead of Marquez and Jack Miller, who was second quickest this morning.

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Cal Crutchlow was seventh quickest for Honda ahead of Ducati test rider Michele Pirro while Valentino Rossi improved upon a measly 18^th in FP1 to sit within the top ten in ninth this afternoon.

Pol Espargaro again led the way for KTM in tenth, but suffered a crash at turn three in the final stages of the session. His brother, Aleix also crashed out of the session on the same lap.

Maverick Vinales will be hoping he can improve in FP3 tomorrow or faces fighting for his Q2 spot in Q1.

The British contingent behind Crutchlow was led by Scott Redding in 13^th, while Bradley Smith and Sam Lowes were 23^rd and 24^th respectively.

Michael van der Mark, standing in for Jonas Folger this weekend, was 25^th quickest, just 2.4 seconds off the pace. 

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