MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo Leader of the Pack Friday in Motegi

Photo by Gold & Goose

Last year’s pole winner Jorge Lorenzo led the way Friday at Japan’s Twin Ring Motegi turning in the fastest lap aboard his factory Yamaha with a time of 1:45.151on the 2.98-mile circuit. Lorenzo clocked his time at the very end of the FP2 session in his typical smooth fashion.

It was anything but smooth going for three-time Motego MotoGP winner Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa suffered a vicious high-side crash on his factory Honda and was sent to the infield medical for further evaluation. He was joined in the care center by Eugene Laverty, who also suffered a hard fall.

Andrea Dovizioso (1:45.204) was second Friday on the factory Ducati followed by Suzuki’s Maverick Viñales (1:45.248) in third.

Edging ever closer to what looks like an inevitable title, series leader Marc Marquez wanted to divert talk away from his first mathematical shot at wrapping up the 2016 Championship.

“Here is the first chance but there’s no need to talk about it!” said the 2013 and 2014 MotoGP World Champion. “So many things would have to happen – and it’s nearly impossible. I’m going to have the same mentality as until now, just work hard. We know Motegi won’t be like Aragon but I think we’re getting better and better. It’s a good circuit for my riding style but with our bike we struggle a bit here every year, but we’ll see because we also thought we’d be far in Misano but we were closer.”

With that same mentality, Marquez has a clear aim for the weekend: “To take points for the Championship is the most important, and if we can get on the podium, even better. Now we have three races in a row it’s important to finish all the races and stay calm in the practices because there are two more races soon. It doesn’t matter when or where, the important thing is to achieve our goal.”

Next to speak was P2 in the title – 52 points back on Marquez -Valentino Rossi. The Italian is optimistic for the weekend, but knows the key could rest with the Michelin rubber and understanding how to get the best out of it.

“This is a good track for us usually,” said Rossi. “I’ve had a lot of podiums but not so many victories. It’s a good track for the Yamaha but every year is different and as in every race this season we need to understand the tyres. I hope the weather is good and it’s warmer, because today it’s very cold. Three races in a row is always difficult – you can have a small problem in the first one and you pay very much. But they are three fantastic tracks!”

Teammate Lorenzo agreed the Yamaha suits the Twin Ring Motegi, and was also ready to get down to business understanding the 2016 package at the venue after having dominated much of the recent track time at the manufacturer’s home track.

“We came back strong and this track should be good for my riding style – and the Yamaha,” agreed Lorenzo. “Let’s see how the tyres and the electronics are – if it’s similar to the last three years we should be ok.” The reigning World Champion also had a wholly positive view of the challenging three race stint, finding it physically easier in some ways to race back-to-back: “I like three races in a row, I like to stay on the bike as much as possible. When you stay on the bike more, your muscles are more ready.”

MOTUL GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 2 Classification Motegi, Friday, October 14, 2016