Cal Crutchlow led a closely matched top ten as free practice got underway on Friday ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello. The Briton set the pace in scorching conditions during FP2 with less than half a second covering the ten riders currently holding a Q2 spot going into Saturday.
After suffering a motocross injury in the build-up to the race, much of the focus was on home favourite Valentino Rossi and the Yamaha rider appeared to enjoy a trouble-free day, even if he didn’t light up the timing screens. Rossi, who later complained of arm pain during FP2, was fourteenth fastest and will expect to move forward tomorrow morning.
His team-mate had an eventful day with Maverick Vinales also walking away from the afternoon session in a great deal of pain. The championship leader lost the front end of his Yamaha after running wide through Arrabbiata and had to have his arm bandaged as a result of the fall. Although he didn’t make the top ten this afternoon, Vinales’ FP1 pace was enough to secure him fifth overall.
Crutchlow would ultimately top the times though with a 1:47.365, edging out FP1 pacesetter Andrea Dovizioso who impressed throughout the day. Jonas Folger leapt to third in the dying seconds with Ducati wildcard Michele Pirro holding on to fourth thanks to his second-fastest time from the morning, just ahead of Vinales.
Johann Zarco was sixth ahead of Dani Pedrosa while a trio of Ducatis rounded out the top ten, Hector Barbera and Alvaro Bautista edging out Jorge Lorenzo on their 2016-spec machines. Besides Rossi, the other notable absentee from the top ten was Marc Marquez with the reigning champion winding up thirteenth after running used tyres late in FP2.
2017 Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley: Free Practice Times
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