The Repsol Honda Team riders finish in second and fourth place on the combined timesheets, on a day affected by high temperatures
In the opening Free Practice session, Marc Márquez and Jorge Lorenzo led the way in first and second place, respectively.
In FP2, Márquez clocked the fourth fastest lap, two tenths off both quickest rider Danilo Petrucci and his own best time from the morning.
Jorge Lorenzo was unable to lower his FP1 time, and a lap 4 tenths of a second slower put him ninth in FP2.
Marc Márquez | 2nd 1’37.921
“Basically today was a normal Friday, trying to be consistent and working mostly for the race and on our overall pace. I feel good from the beginning and we kept improving. I’m happy but of course we have to keep working, we’ve started well. The new tarmac has incredible grip. When we came here with the old tarmac was one setup and now it’s another setup. We started with a good pace so are trying some things and we don’t have the same problems we had in Austin which is helping me to ride constant and exactly like I want. There are many riders who are quick so we have to be careful!”
Jorge Lorenzo 4th | 1’38.045
“This morning we were very strong and I was able to ride how I want and show the potential we have. I was very comfortable and able to make consistent lap times quite easily. In the afternoon we tried a setting on the other bike which wasn’t in the correct direction so we weren’t able to be as fast and it was hotter, which did not help. But we have been able to make good progress already at a track which I like and we are ready for tomorrow.”
