Wheel-entino:
SEPANG: Andrea Iannone of Team Suzuki Ecstar was in smashing form on the second day of MotoGP testing at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
The Italian completed 40 laps and set the fastest lap time of 1:59.452 in the 38th lap.
And it smashed Ducati test rider Casey Stoner’s lap time of 1:59.680, which the Australian set on the first day of testing on Monday.
Iannone was delighted with his lap time. “I’m happy with Suzuki. Suzuki for me has always been the icon of motorcycle. I look forward to kicking off the season with the new blue colours and do my best to achieve the best results for the team,” said the Italian.
Maverick Vinales of Movistar Yamaha made the most of day two of testing by completing 51 laps and clocking the second fastest time of 1:59.858.
The young Spaniard was the only other rider to dip below the two-minute mark yesterday.
The 20-year-old Vinales was also a happy man, saying “there was lot of improvement on my bike” on the second day of testing.
“It’s getting better but I still need few small modifications because I want to go faster. I’m also happy to do many, many laps today,” said Vinales.
Alvaro Bautista of Aspar Team was third fastest in 2:00.218.
Vinales’ team-mate Valentino Rossi did well to be fourth quickest in 2:00.254.
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda Team ended day two in 10th placing – clocking 2:00.531 in the 33rd lap.
Tito Rabat of Marc VDS Racing Team crashed at Turn 7 about an hour before the end of test session at 6pm. The Spaniard injured his left knee and right wrist and was taken to hospital.
Stoner, who took a break on the second day of testing, plans to ride today.
“Tomorrow hopefully will give us some better weather and better data and we can continue where we left off (on Monday),” said Stoner.