The first day of the final round of the 2015 MotoGP championship ended with Jorge Lorenzo on top of the time charts. The Yamaha rider had a better second session, unlike many others, and managed to squeeze into the leading position after two practice sessions.
Marquez was just one of those whose lap times in FP2 were not improved over the morning session. The Repsol Honda rider now sits 0.139 seconds behind Lorenzo, and has a 0.127-second advantage over his teammate, Dani Pedrosa.
Andrea Iannone found a better pace in FP2, claiming almost two seconds of his FP1 lap time and ending the day in the fourth position, with a marginal 0.031 seconds lead over Rossi. Other two Ducati riders follow the Doctor, Petrucci and Dovizioso, but only the former improved his pace from the morning session.
Hayden, who was just appointed as a MotoGP Legend between Free Practice 1 and 2 sits in the 17th position, flanked by Aprilia's Stefan Bradl, 0.081 seconds faster, and Loris Baz, a mere 2 thousandths slower than the Kentucky Kid.
He says that being fast and confident on used tires is more important than being fast with new ones. He knows the race is 30 laps long and good tire management can play a major role in the outcome.
Lorenzo, on the other hand, is also focused on finding the right vibe for Sunday, but doesn't look at all relaxed, even though Rossi will start from the back of the grid. 30 laps means serious business, and it looks like he just can't afford to rely on Rossi's handicap and feel relaxed.
This Sunday will be the most interesting race day of the entire season, as Rossi holds a 7-point lead over Lorenzo and the 2015 crown will be decided at the track.
Andrea Iannone found a better pace in FP2, claiming almost two seconds of his FP1 lap time and ending the day in the fourth position, with a marginal 0.031 seconds lead over Rossi. Other two Ducati riders follow the Doctor, Petrucci and Dovizioso, but only the former improved his pace from the morning session.
Hayden, who was just appointed as a MotoGP Legend between Free Practice 1 and 2 sits in the 17th position, flanked by Aprilia's Stefan Bradl, 0.081 seconds faster, and Loris Baz, a mere 2 thousandths slower than the Kentucky Kid.
Rossi feels good with used tires, Lorenzo doesn't seem to be too easy
Interviews with both Rossi and Lorenzo, one of which will become the 2015 champion after the Valencia round, showed two different states of mind. On one hand, Rossi looks focused and in a way happy with being able to keep up the pace with the front riders on used tires.He says that being fast and confident on used tires is more important than being fast with new ones. He knows the race is 30 laps long and good tire management can play a major role in the outcome.
Lorenzo, on the other hand, is also focused on finding the right vibe for Sunday, but doesn't look at all relaxed, even though Rossi will start from the back of the grid. 30 laps means serious business, and it looks like he just can't afford to rely on Rossi's handicap and feel relaxed.
This Sunday will be the most interesting race day of the entire season, as Rossi holds a 7-point lead over Lorenzo and the 2015 crown will be decided at the track.