Zarco Quickest In The Wet At Jerez

Johann Zarco - Photo Credit: MotoGP.com

Johann Zarco was the fastest man in Friday practice for the Spanish Moto2 Grand Prix but consistent rain throughout the day at Jerez made it difficult to draw any conclusions from the day's running. The Frenchman, last year's runner-up in the 125cc class, set a 1:55.382 in the morning session which remained unbeaten in the afternoon, despite Mika Kallio's best efforts.

The Finn was quickest in the second session as the track steadily dried out but conditions were never good enough for slicks. Kallio's time was three tenths away from Zarco's benchmark with Ricard Cardus completing an unusual top three on the Arguiñano AJR.

FP2 was a relatively quiet affair with many riders staying in the pits, choosing not to risk themselves or their motorcycles in the damp conditions. Only a quarter of the field completed ten laps or more in the afternoon while Tech 3 riders Bradley Smith and Xavier Simeon didn't turn a wheel in anger.

Behind the top three, wet-weather specialist Anthony West took fourth ahead of Andrea Iannone and championship leader Marc Marquez. Simeon was the leading Tech 3 rider in seventh having set the third best time in the morning while Smith's inactivity in the afternoon saw him drop from sixth to 17^th.

Qatar polesitter Thomas Luthi was eighth fastest ahead of Axel Pons, Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding while there were crashes for Randy Krummenacher and Ratthapark Wilairot. Gino Rea, teammate to Wilairot at Gresini, was an encouraging 15^th.

Moto2 Gran Premio bwin de Espana: Combined Friday Practice Times