Pedrosa moves to top of the timings on second test day in Malaysia

Dani Pedrosa got down to business today on the second of three days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit with the Repsol Honda rider taking advantage of the better track conditions today to set the fastest time on the timing sheets ahead of NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Alex Espargaro and yesterday’s fastest man, Alvaro Bautista on the GO&FUN Honda Gresini machine.

Setting a best time of 2m 00.039s, Pedrosa jumped up to the top of the timings with better track conditions aiding the Spaniard in the use of the new-specification Bridgestone tires that have been causing some frustration for other riders. Espargaro continues to impress on his Open Class machine although he has a much softer rear tire on his machine compared to the factory riders. Bautista was quick once again on his RCV1000 machine with a best time of 2m 00.500s.

Following a frustrating first day of testing, Valentino Rossi found some more pace with the new Bridgestone rear and set the fourth fastest time of 2m 00.605s while Andrea Dovizioso also found some better pace on his Ducati Team GP14 with the Italian recording a fastest lap time of 2m 00.787s. LCR Honda’s Stefan Bradl sits in sixth place with the German rider setting a best lap of 2m 00.902s while Cal Crutchlow was back near the sharp end on the second factory Ducati with a best lap of 2m 00.952s.

Pol Espargaro managed the eight best time today with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie setting a best time of 2m 01.027s while Jorge Lorenzo continues to struggle for grip from the new Bridgestone rear on his Yamaha Factory Racing machine and edge grip the main problem with the double MotoGP World Champion managing just ninth spot with a best time of 2m 01.049s and rounding out the top ten was Bradley Smith on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine with a best time of 2m 01.098s.