2012 Assen MotoGP FP2 Result: Spies Leads Tightly-Packed Field

Submitted by David Emmett on Thu, 2012-06-28 13:12
in

Ben Spies topped the timesheets in a thrilling afternoon session of free practice for the MotoGP class. After Jorge Lorenzo led the session early, the lead started swapping frantically in the last third of FP2, with Dani Pedrosa, Ben Spies and Nicky Hayden taking turns at the top. In the final moments, Ben Spies retook the lead, Cal Crutchlow's attempt falling just a few thousandths of a second short.

Behind the two Yamahas, Nicky Hayden put the factory Ducati into 3rd spot, ahead of the San Carlo Gresini Honda of Alvaro Bautista. Lorenzo ended the day in 5th, a couple of tenths quicker than the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa. Andrea Dovizioso took 7th, just ahead of Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera, while Casey Stoner, who spent most of the session in the pits, rounds out the top ten, just over four tenths behind Spies.

Results:

Pos No. Rider Bike Time Diff Diff Previous
1 11 Ben SPIES YAMAHA 1'34.866    
2 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW YAMAHA 1'34.872 0.006 0.006
3 69 Nicky HAYDEN DUCATI 1'34.968 0.102 0.096
4 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA HONDA 1'35.008 0.142 0.040
5 99 Jorge LORENZO YAMAHA 1'35.057 0.191 0.049
6 26 Dani PEDROSA HONDA 1'35.080 0.214 0.023
7 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO YAMAHA 1'35.257 0.391 0.177
8 46 Valentino ROSSI DUCATI 1'35.296 0.430 0.039
9 8 Hector BARBERA DUCATI 1'35.298 0.432 0.002
10 1 Casey STONER HONDA 1'35.304 0.438 0.006
11 6 Stefan BRADL HONDA 1'35.337 0.471 0.033
12 41 Aleix ESPARGARO ART 1'36.615 1.749 1.278
13 14 Randy DE PUNIET ART 1'36.871 2.005 0.256
14 51 Michele PIRRO FTR 1'37.057 2.191 0.186
15 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ BQR 1'37.572 2.706 0.515
16 17 Karel ABRAHAM DUCATI 1'37.628 2.762 0.056
17 54 Mattia PASINI ART 1'37.657 2.791 0.029
18 5 Colin EDWARDS SUTER 1'37.669 2.803 0.012
19 77 James ELLISON ART 1'37.973 3.107 0.304
20 22 Ivan SILVA BQR 1'38.279 3.413 0.306
21 9 Danilo PETRUCCI IODA 1'38.373 3.507 0.094

 

2012
Ben Spies topped the timesheets in a thrilling afternoon session of free practice for the MotoGP class. After Jorge Lorenzo led the session early, the lead started swapping frantically in the last third of FP2, with Dani Pedrosa, Ben Spies and Nicky Hayden taking turns at the top. In the final moments, Ben Spies retook the lead, Cal Crutchlow's attempt falling just a few thousandths of a second short.Behind the two Yamahas, Nicky Hayden put the factory Ducati into 3rd spot, ahead of the San Carlo Gresini Honda of Alvaro Bautista. Lorenzo ended the day in 5th, a couple of tenths quicker than the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa. Andrea Dovizioso took 7th, just ahead of Valentino Rossi and Hector Barbera, while Casey Stoner, who spent most of the session in the pits, rounds out the top ten, just over four tenths behind Spies.Results:

Comments

wow

Submitted by miranoff on Thu, 2012-06-28 14:49.

those are some really close times. Can't remember the last time I saw the top ten within half a second of each other.

Total votes: 17

soft vs. hard tires

Submitted by reitboy on Thu, 2012-06-28 15:12.

Has anyone heard or read that top 4 used soft rubber to set their times while Jorge and Dani used only hard tires?

Total votes: 16

Soft vs Hard

Submitted by David Emmett on Thu, 2012-06-28 16:16.

Correct assessement. Everyone used softs except for Jorge and Dani. Stoner and Pedrosa struggling with chatter. Crutchlow believes Lorenzo will run away with the race.

Total votes: 11

Tyres

Submitted by pagik on Thu, 2012-06-28 15:53.

Nope not heard yet, maybe David would be able to shed some light on this. I have to agree, not seen a session that close in some time!!! Where's the Duke found nearly a second from???? Conversely, where's Casey LOST .4??? I know, I know...it's only a free practice...

Total votes: 9

Blessings

Submitted by PIT BULL on Thu, 2012-06-28 17:06.

George is running like a Tsunami. Casey ? I get the feeling he's not that bothered. Having commited to retirement,95% commitment is par for the course.
No doubt Stoner will snap it all back tomorrow because he likes winning second to none.
Stoner's neck is not in the wringer. Neither is George's. The rest have issues in terms of signings.
Its Holland. Show your wares. Sell your soul to the highest bidder.
The #33 spec Bridgestone front is a bomber for HRC present.
2nd and 3rd phase season begins now.
The tyre testing limitation will kick in like a mule. How many tyres ? Remind me.
360 and full circle and something.
Have they changed that nondescript ruling aswell ? That issue needs to be revisited.
Who's THEY ? Enlighten me. Currently THEY are lost in the fog.

Total votes: 25

George

Submitted by rumerz.com on Thu, 2012-06-28 19:55.

Calling Jorge "George" earns you a single star, brother.

Total votes: 19

Whenever I think of the name

Submitted by Jejunity Jay on Fri, 2012-06-29 09:29.

Whenever I think of the name George Lawrence I think of someone singing a duet with Elton John. Maybe it's those big sunglasses Jorge wears.

Total votes: 11

HRC

Submitted by 3B43 on Thu, 2012-06-28 17:52.

How in the hell can the might of HRC be so LOST? The 'best' bike of last year is struggling w/Stoner on it! And don't think Stoner's not trying....Dani is stuggling and was pretty vocal about the bike's chatter a race or two ago. VERY unusual for him! Nicky! Boy would I love to see him on the podium! Gues I'll go see how my new Vesrah pads are.......

Total votes: 10

tires

Submitted by early on Thu, 2012-06-28 20:34.

All season long Casey has been wrestling that bike around the track while jorje looks like he's on his old 250. The Honda is killing the tires that's why he has been losing ground at the end of the race. I bet this would be the best bike with last years tires. Same goes for Nicky, he can ride the bike with the top guys until the tires get destroyed around lap 5. Remember INDY last year? Nicky was dicing at the front until he pulled in the pits for a new tire...

Total votes: 14

It looks better than it is

Submitted by sandstream on Thu, 2012-06-28 22:36.

Rossi and Hayden where not even close to their best lap times with any other lap. They will struggle in the race.

Total votes: 9

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