Source: MotoGP.

Aleix Espargaro was the quickest rider on track – in record pace – in the second practice run at the Iveco Daily TT Assen for the MotoGP class, in front of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa in the top three.

Espargaro (NGM Forward Racing) produced the fastest ever lap of the current Assen track (1m33.653) towards the end of FP2 on a soft rear tyre, the Spaniard beating Casey Stoner’s 2012 lap record (1m33.713). Espargaro had also been second quickest in the morning session.

Repsol Honda’s young World Champion Marquez was second overall, a 0.211 gap behind Espargaro, with Dani Pedrosa in third place (0.416s) at a track which is usualy regarded to favour Yamaha.

Indeed the fastest factory Yamaha lap was set by Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) in fourth place, just under half a second off P1 pace.

Another good showing from Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone left him fifth, despite a run-off track in both Thursday sessions for the Italian.

Bradley Smith (Monster Yamaha Tech3) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) were classed in sixth and seventh respectively, with an identical 1m34.286 lap time.

Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech3) was eighth after riding fastest in FP1, with Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda MotoGP) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) completing the top ten.

Nicky Hayden (Drive M7 Aspar) was down in 17th as he continues to ride with wrist problems, whilst in 22nd place Danilo Petrucci (IodaRacing Project) returned for the first time since Jerez following a wrist injury of his own.

2014 MotoGP World Championship
Round eight – Assen, Netherlands

Friday MotoGP practice results:
1. Aleix Espargaro 1m33.653s
2. Marc Marquez 1m33.864s
3. Dani Pedrosa 1m34.069s
4. Jorge Lorenzo 1m34.148s
5. Andrea Iannone 1m34.277s
6. Bradley Smith 1m34.286s
7. Valentino Rossi 1m34.286s
8. Pol Espargaro 1m34.408s
9. Stefan Bradl 1m34.457s
10. Andrea Dovizioso 1m34.460s
19. Broc Parkes (AUS) 1m36.046s

Click here for detailed results