Photo: motogp.com
A major boost of confidence for 9-time world champion Valentino Rossi, as he managed to squeeze in the leading position of the Free Practice 1 at Indianapolis. The second half of the season kicks off this Sunday at the Brickyard, with almost all the riders having signed new contracts, and only few confirmations left.
Even though the weather conditions have been a rather iffy matter, the Brickyard’s recently-resurfaced and partially redesigned track remained dry and offering plenty of grip. It’s of course much too early to tell, but we might get to see this track, until now a Honda-dominated venue, offering some surprised this year. Rossi’s best lap of 1’34.353 also became the fastest lap of the Indy, as he managed to squeeze in the front.
Surprisingly, the second-fastest rider of the debut practice session in Indy was Bradley Smith only .034 adrift the Italian. Andrea Iannone climbed to the third position, 10 thousandths of a second slower than the Englishman, with Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez for the top 5.
The top ten was rounded up with Jorge Lorenzo, a surprisingly fast Scott Redidng aboard his GO&FUN Honda Gresini, Aleix Espargaro and two more Ducati bikes, Andrea Dovizioso’s and Yonny Hernandez’. Riding a MotoGO for the last time at Indianapols, Colin Edwards was 11th, ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Broc Parkes led the PBM machine to the 19th position, while Leon Camier, substituting for Nicky Hayden, who is recovering after surgery was the slowest rider on the field. However, with 5.4 seconds adrift Rossi, and aboard a bike he knows nothing about, we’re definitely looking forward for better placement form the SBK rider.
Riders and teams are most likely fretting in anticipation of FP2, and anxiously trying to find the right setup for the Brickyard. FP2 in scheduled in less than three hours.
Surprisingly, the second-fastest rider of the debut practice session in Indy was Bradley Smith only .034 adrift the Italian. Andrea Iannone climbed to the third position, 10 thousandths of a second slower than the Englishman, with Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez for the top 5.
The top ten was rounded up with Jorge Lorenzo, a surprisingly fast Scott Redidng aboard his GO&FUN Honda Gresini, Aleix Espargaro and two more Ducati bikes, Andrea Dovizioso’s and Yonny Hernandez’. Riding a MotoGO for the last time at Indianapols, Colin Edwards was 11th, ahead of Cal Crutchlow. Broc Parkes led the PBM machine to the 19th position, while Leon Camier, substituting for Nicky Hayden, who is recovering after surgery was the slowest rider on the field. However, with 5.4 seconds adrift Rossi, and aboard a bike he knows nothing about, we’re definitely looking forward for better placement form the SBK rider.
Riders and teams are most likely fretting in anticipation of FP2, and anxiously trying to find the right setup for the Brickyard. FP2 in scheduled in less than three hours.
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