Ducati’s Andrea Iannone set the pace during second practice for the season opening Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail Circuit on Friday.
Iannone’s fastest lap, a 1:55.388, came within the opening ten minutes of the session and although a few came close to bettering the Italian riders time, it stood until the checkered flag fell.
Marc Marquez was second quickest for Honda, with first and second separated by just 0.013. Marquez looked likely to improve on his final lap, but pushed a little too hard and ran wide onto the grass along the pit straight and had to back off as a result.
Pramac’s Scott Redding was third quickest, a tenth back on Marquez, whilst Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso completed the top five riders, all of which were covered by just over three-tenths.
The second Honda of Dani Pedrosa was sixth ahead of Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, Avintia’s Hector Barbera, the second Yamaha of Jorge Lorenzo, and Pramac’s Danilo Petrucci, completing the top five.
The session was close with the top 12 covered by less than a second, with 13th placed Cal Crutchlow failing to better his time after a fall at the final corner.
Meanwhile Loris Baz also suffered a heavy fall at Turn 14 and although he limped off, he, along with Crutchlow, were uninjured.
