Bezzecchi clocks record Misano lap, Bagnaia improving
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Marco Bezzecchi clocked a record lap time in Friday's second practice session.
MISANO ADRIATICO (Italy) (AFP) – Marco Bezzecchi clocked a record lap time in Friday's second practice session for the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP as Francesco Bagnaia showed he is ready to compete after his horrific crash last weekend.
VR46-Ducati rider Bezzecchi, who is also nursing an injury, whizzed around the Misano Adriatico circuit in one minute, 30.846 seconds, 0.126sec ahead of Maverick Vinales on an Aprilia and 0.255sec in front of Red Bull's Dani Pedrosa.
The Italian trails compatriot and championship leader Bagnaia by 71 points ahead of Sunday's race on home turf.
Bezzecchi is racing in Misano despite hurting his hands in the multi-bike pile up which preceded Bagnaia's accident.
Jorge Martin, who sits second in the overall standings and is 50 points behind reigning world champion Bagnaia, was 0.331sec back in fourth.
Bagnaia finished in 20th spot in Friday's morning practice but put in an impressive run in the second session and was seventh fastest, claiming one of 10 automatic spots in Saturday's second qualifying session.
The two fastest riders from the first qualifying run, at 0850 GMT, will take the final two spots in Q2 which runs at 0915 GMT.
Last weekend, Bagnaia flew off his bike at high speed in the Catalunya GP and was then run over by Brad Binder, but has been cleared to race at his home track on Sunday.
On Friday, despite his injuries, Bagnaia rode a fastest lap of 1:31.220.
Top 10 times from the second practice session at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP:
1. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 1min 30.846sec, 2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) at 0.126sec, 3. Daniel Pedrosa (ESP/KTM) 0.255, 4. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 0.331, 5. Luca Marini (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.341, 6. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 0.371, 7. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 0.374, 8. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.401, 9. Brad Binder(RSA/KTM) 0.410, 10. Raul Fernandez (ESP/Aprilia-RNF) 0.690
