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Fast MotoGP News: Ducati Leads FP2 at Misano, Aprilia Back with Gresini

The rain did not stop at Misano, as the second Free Practice session of the Gran Premio TIM di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini 2014. While FP1 saw 9 riders crash, including Valentino Rossi, FP2 was also dramatic, with Aleix Espargaro, Iannone, Smith and Abraham repeating the stunts in the second outing. They were joined by Redding, Bautista and De Angelis.
Diovizioso, FP2, Misano, 2014 9 photos
Photo: motogp.com
FP2, Misano, 2014FP2, Misano, 2014, DoviziosoFP1, Misano, 2014, Valentino RossiFP2, Misano, 2014, rain on trackFP2, Misano, 2014, LorenzoFP2, Misano, 2014, MarquezFP2, Misano, 2014, Mike Di MeglioFP2, Misano, 2014, Pol Espargaro
Ducati was again the fastest manufacturer on the San Marino track, but this time it was Andrea Dovizioso who led the session with a 1’49.195 lap, despite a crash early in the outing. Pramac Ducati’s Yonny Hernandez who led FP1 was 5th and is now second overall, ahead of Dani Pedrosa whose 1’50.536 put him in the second position at the end of FP2.


Marc Marquez and a surprising presence from Danilo Petrucci (IodaRacing Project) in 4th round up the overall top five for tis Friday. The overall top 10 also comprise Pol Espargaro (Tech3), Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP), Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Andrea Iannone (Pramac Racing) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP).

On the other hand, Misano is the place where Fausto Gresini decided to announce that his team will field Aprilia bikes from 2015, after having signed an agreement which extends through the 2018 season. This means that the remainder of the season is the last we see of Go&FUN Gresini-liveried Honda machinery, with two big questions remaining to be anwered.

aking over the satellite Honda team? Most of the rumors indicate Team Marc VDS, who openly spoke about their intentions to field a premier class bike. However, the prices of the satellite and production racer Honda bikes went up, so things aren’t that easy for a newcomer in the series.

On the other hand, it will be interesting to see what happens with Scott Redding, as he’s under a 2-year contract with Gresini, but has said more than once that he wants a factory bike. Will it be a Honda with whoever manages to secure the RC213V for the future, or will it be an Aprilia? Guess these answers will be given quite soon…
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