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[wino]

MOTOGP »
Nicky Hayden: Options in MotoGP and Superbike
16 August 2013

“I've not talked to Pramac Ducati, but I have been talking about the Production Honda, nothing too advanced though” – Nicky Hayden.

• 
  
  Nicky Hayden: Options in MotoGP and Superbike
  By Stephen English
  
  Nicky Hayden's racing future is still uncertain, with the American telling the assembled media ahead of his home Indianapolis Grand Prix that he is talking to numerous teams in MotoGP and WSBK.
  
  When asked what the future held for the former MotoGP champion, Hayden said that he expects to be able to announce something within the next few weeks.
  
  "The last couple of weeks a lot of Europeans were on holiday, but in the next three to four weeks we have to lock something down," said Hayden.
  
  "Teams are deciding on budgets and rules so it's getting close. There are options in MotoGP and Superbike. I've had contact with teams in WSBK but no formal offers yet."
  
  Given his five year relationship with Ducati, and the importance of the American market to the brand, there has been speculation that Hayden could move to the satellite Pramac squad, where Andrea Iannone is currently unsigned for 2014.
  
  Hayden dismissed such speculation, but did reveal interest in the new Production Honda MotoGP racer, available for privateers from next season and eligible for increased fuel and engine changes relative to the factory bikes.
  
  “I've not talked to Pramac but I have been talking about the Production Honda, nothing too advanced though. For the Production bike we don't know how competitive they'll be with extra fuel and engines. The rules are changing in WSBK too. I want to be on the best package to run the closest to the front.”
  
  Hayden made his MotoGP debut as a Repsol Honda rider in 2003, winning the world title in 2006 before joining Ducati in 2009.
  
  While his future is sure to be a talking point this weekend Hayden is focused on having fun at what the Kentucky native views as his “true home race.”
  
  “I'm excited for Indy. After a three week break you're always excited to get back but this is my favourite race of the year; it's my true home GP. It would be nice to leave here with something encouraging and have some fun but the bike is more or less the same as Laguna. But we do think that this track should suit us better than the last few, it's a bit more open and has longer straights.”
  
  Cal Crutchlow is taking over Hayden's place at Ducati next season.

MOTOGP »
Indianapolis MotoGP: 'Back to square one' for Ben Spies
18 August 2013

"I need to have some CT scans on my wrist to see if there's anything broken, but definitely on my shoulder we have a grade 3 separation" – Ben Spies.

• 
  
  Indianapolis MotoGP: 'Back to square one' for Ben Spies
  Just when Ben Spies looked to have finally put his right shoulder injuries behind him, the Texan suffered a dislocation to his left shoulder during Saturday practice for his MotoGP comeback at Indianapolis.
  
  The Pramac Ducati rider, whose previous shoulder injuries date back to last October's Malaysian race, had been aiming to take part in his first grand prix since round two in Texas.
  
  Instead he will miss not only Sunday's Indianapolis race but is in major doubt for next weekend's Brno round - with Silverstone just one week after that - and must have further scans to determine if he also has a wrist fracture.
  
  “I was back and starting to feel good, now we have another shoulder injury, but this time on the left,” Spies said. “Right now I still need to go back to Dallas have some CT scans on my wrist to see if there's anything broken there, but definitely on my shoulder we have a grade 3 separation.
  
  “Regarding the crash, I was going out on the first lap when I made a mistake and spun the rear tyre and high-sided. I'm just sorry for the team and frustrated for the fans because I was looking forward to being out there. We were starting to feel good but now we're back at square one.”
  
  Worryingly for Spies, team-mate Andea Iannone dislocated his shoulder during the German round in mid-July - and is still struggling with the pain.

NGM to run "almost complete" M1 Yamaha in 2014

Forward Racing's Giovanni Cuzari on Yamaha talks

Saturday, 17 August 2013
NGM Mobile Forward Racing owner Giovanni Cuzari confirmed to motogp.com that the agreement reached with Yamaha for next year is not only to lease the M1 engines, but also for the majority of the chassis – bar the fairings and electronics.


This means that the Italian team will benefit from the handling of the current M1 package, whilst running the M1 power plant with the Dorna-spec Magneti Marelli software under the “non-factory bike” umbrella.

Cuzari commented: “We agreed with Yamaha to lease the engine and the frame, the body of the bike, so we lease almost a complete bike from Yamaha. We have to take care of the fairing.

“We will use the ECU of Dorna, with 24-litres [of fuel], and one soft tyre more. These are the rules.

“They [Yamaha] are already testing the engine with the Dorna ECU, and they are very positive about this.”

He also spoke about his rider choice for next year, saying that an announcement will be made closer to the Silverstone round in two weeks time.

“I will respect my two riders now – Colin and Claudio as well – but of course I need to follow some requests from Yamaha.

“I’m speaking with Nicky Hayden, Aleix Espargaro, and Jonathan Rea, so with a lot of very good riders. I’m not saying I don’t have good riders. I have very good riders, but of course I have to choose the best solution for me and my supporters also…my sponsors that support me in this project.”


A record-breaking day for rookie Marquez

Marquez: 'I always feel good at this track'

Saturday, 17 August 2013
Repsol Honda Team’s remarkable MotoGP™ rookie sensation loves Indianapolis and demonstrated it again on Saturday with a new pole record, whilst teammate Dani Pedrosa expects a tough race at Round 10.


Having won at The Brickyard for the last two years in Moto2™, Marquez arrived at the American circuit on the back of two successive MotoGP™ wins before the summer break and set down a superb 1’37.958 marker in qualifying. The Spaniard’s lap was over half a second faster than any of his more experienced rivals could manage and shattered Pedrosa’s 2012 pole record of 1’38.813.

"I’ve always felt so good on this track in the other categories and, in MotoGP, from FP1 I have felt good with the track and the bike," Marquez said immediately after the Q2 session. "In qualifying I knew for one lap the tyre would give very good grip."

The 20 year-old is taking nothing for granted, though, and added: "Tomorrow will be tough because everybody will struggle with grip by the end of the race. We are ready to fight for the win, but Jorge (Lorenzo) and Dani will be strong so we will need to manage the situation."

Pedrosa was in agreement about the challenge lying ahead, having qualified third on the grid.

"I think tomorrow is going to be a very hard race," began the winner of 2010 and 2012. "It’s a track on which you move a lot on the bike, so fitness is very important. I feel better but still not 100%, but I’m very happy after practice. We just hope to improve a bit more and have a good bike for tomorrow. I hope for a good start and a good race."

Marquez currently leads the championship, 16 points ahead of his teammate.

 

[wino]

What do you guys think of ducati canning nicky hayden after 6seasons and signing crutchlow but keeping crybaby spies who missed almost the whole first half of the season?

I'm surprised Nicky got this year. The main reason he's been on a Duc for so long is Ducati America pays the factory a lot of $$$,having him on the Duc sells a lot of bikes for the factory over there.
Crutchlow is right about the fuel tank. And that is not the only difference in the factory bike and the privateer version, I dont expect to much from him next season but who knows he can ride but can he ride the Duc ? History says no.
Spies is doubtful for the rest of the season after yesterday. But if he gets his body right and managed to get on a better bike the guy will always threaten the top 5. He's a bloody good rider but last year really took it's toll on him. I hope he returns fit and strong next year.

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

I'm surprised Nicky got this year. The main reason he's been on a Duc for so long is Ducati America pays the factory a lot of $$$,having him on the Duc sells a lot of bikes for the factory over there.
Crutchlow is right about the fuel tank. And that is not the only difference in the factory bike and the privateer version, I dont expect to much from him next season but who knows he can ride but can he ride the Duc ? History says no.
Spies is doubtful for the rest of the season after yesterday. But if he gets his body right and managed to get on a better bike the guy will always threaten the top 5. He's a bloody good rider but last year really took it's toll on him. I hope he returns fit and strong next year.

Dont get me wrong im not taking anything away from spies but last season on the yamaha he was full factory and complained alot it seemed. Then at the laguna seca race he announced that he was burnt out on racing and at that point wasnt seeking a full time ride then changed his mind and signed with ducati so I felt someone more focused and not burntout should of had the ride..i mean look at edwards hes on uncompetitive machinery now and praises everything the team does. Now as for crutchlow on the duc im my opinion there was only one person who was successful on it and that was stoner, so im leaning toward crutchlow being a top 10 but not top 5 in the season. But as you said time will tell! Lets hope the bike dont kill his career.

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

Also I hope edwards gets a competitive ride next year so ws can see the old man have a good season before he hangs it up.

 

[wino]

Also I hope edwards gets a competitive ride next year so ws can see the old man have a good season before he hangs it up.

read above

Unstoppable Marquez wins at Indianapolis

Indianapolis 2013 - MotoGP - RACE - Highlights

Sunday, 18 August 2013
Marc Marquez has completed a dominant weekend by winning the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, leading home Dani Pedrosa in the third Repsol Honda Team one-two finish of the season. Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo completed the podium as Valentino Rossi beat Cal Crutchlow and Alvaro Bautista to fourth.


Marquez’s victory ensures that the Spaniard has topped every session he has taken part in this weekend – something not done since Casey Stoner dominated the Australian Grand Prix event of last year. The victory marks Marquez’s third consecutive premier class race win and confirms a clean sweep of American successes this season, having also triumphed at Texas and Laguna Seca.

From pole position, another poor start from the 20-year-old rookie saw Marquez fall behind both Lorenzo and teammate Pedrosa. He would overtake the pair on Laps 9 and 13, respectively, and – as his rivals continued to feel the effects of injured collarbones – would cross the finish line almost three and a half seconds ahead.

Pedrosa looked to be finishing the 27-lap race in third position, but sprang a surprise by slipstreaming ahead of Lorenzo at the start of the penultimate lap. For both Pedrosa and Lorenzo, this marked their first podium finishes since the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona some two months ago. In fourth place, Lorenzo’s teammate Rossi rose from ninth on the grid and only on the final tour got the better of Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Crutchlow and GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Bautista, who had enjoyed a race-long battle. Stefan Bradl finished seventh for LCR Honda MotoGP.

Rounding out the top ten were Crutchlow’s teammate Bradley Smith and Ducati Team pairing Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso; the English debutant (who had run as high as fourth on Lap 1, thanks to a superb start) leapfrogged both of the red bikes as Hayden pushed Dovizioso wide at the final corner. This was a near repeat of a final-corner incident at Assen from which Smith also benefitted.

Four riders failed to finish the race. Attack Performance Racing wildcard Blake Young crashed on the opening lap, where problems hit Randy de Puniet (Power Electronics Aspar), Lukas Pesek (Came IodaRacing Project) and Yonny Hernandez (PBM). Unable to race were both Ignite Pramac Racing’s Ben Spies, whose comeback was ruined when he separated his left shoulder on Friday, and Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham who heavily bruised a foot and shoulder, also on Day 1.

Heading to next weekend’s bwin Grand Prix České republiky at Brno, Marquez (188 points) has extended his championship lead to 21 points from Pedrosa (167). Reigning World Champion Lorenzo (153) now sits 35 points behind the leader.

Crutchlow fifth after spectacular last lap

Crutchlow content despite late Rossi overtake

Sunday, 18 August 2013
Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow ended an exciting Indianapolis race in fifth position, the British rider playing a leading role in one of the most intense battles of the 27-lap contest.


Engaged in a frenetic fight for the majority of the race with Spaniard Alvaro Bautista, the tussle for fourth position became a three-way battle, with nine-times World Champion Valentino Rossi riding into contention with a brilliant late attack.

Crutchlow had produced an outstanding final lap to keep Rossi and Bautista at bay and fourth position seemed to have been secured behind dominant Spanish trio of Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo.

After a superb race there was still time for one final dramatic twist, with Rossi executing a last ditch overtake at the final corner to push Crutchlow back into fifth.

“I’m really pleased to finish the race in the top five,” enthused the Tech 3 man. “It was a really good battle out there and I enjoyed it a lot. All of us were pushing at our absolute maximum and Alvaro rode fantastic. Credit to Valentino as well because he recovered quite a lot of time and it is not easy to do that towards the end of the race. I knew it was going to come down to the last lap and probably the last corner and I did my best to keep fourth.”

The rider from Coventry went on to say, “I was strong all weekend, so that gives me a lot of confidence for the next races in Brno and Silverstone where I was very competitive at last season.”

Bradley Smith secured his seventh top 10 finish of the season, the British rider’s race starting and finishing in exciting fashion.

Smith got a stunning launch off the line and on the first lap he held fourth place before he slipped back into a fight with Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden for eighth.

The 22-year-old exerted constant pressure on his more experienced counterparts and his determination and hard work was rewarded when Hayden and Dovizioso ran off track at the final corner.

The Oxfordshire rider stated, “The race was very exciting and I got an amazing start but pretty much right from the first lap I felt we had an issue with the rear end of the bike. I was a bit lucky that the Ducatis ran wide in the last corner, so I could pass both on the final straight. Eighth is not a bad result but I’m a little bit disappointed because we did a really good job during the whole weekend.”

Pol's crash with onboard

 

[wino]

Bed-Ridden Spies Speaks
by dean adams
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Ben Spies has had good luck at Indy, and Ben Spies has had bad luck at Indy. The former Indy podium-finisher crashed yesterday and injured his shoulder.
image by dean f adams
"I feel like I am on my deathbed," Ben Spies joked as he lay prone and shirtless on the bed in his motorhome with a group of media surrounding him this morning at Indy.

It was almost a similar scene to the Lincoln deathbed vigil, without the men in suits and the stained pillow. Fifteen journalists hovered over Spies in a surreal scene, a brown blanket covering him.

Spies had just received a pain-killing injection moments before the interview. The day after a rider suffers a shoulder injury is usually when the pain ramps up--Spies said he had not slept very well, if at all, last night.

"The next day you always feel like you've been hit by a train," he said. "I'm in a lot more pain and didn't take much pain medication yesterday. It was a rough night. I feel horrible," he said.

Spies asked that no video or photos be taken. He conducted the entire interview laying on his back, grimacing between questions.

He assessed the shoulder and wrist damage he has received. The shoulder damaged in this crash is the opposite one that underwent surgery last year.

The shoulder is the same, Spies said. It is definitely separated. I am going to see my doctor to see exactly what I am going to do.

The wrist, they saw a small shadow in it (an x-ray) in one of the bones. It's not displaced but it is really swollen. It's quite a bit of pain. I don't know what's up. Maybe nothing. It might be a really bad sprain. I don't want to jump to conclusions."

The American rider has suffered a near unprecedented run of bad luck dating back to the 2011 season. Spies initially suggested there were problems with the Ducati's traction control settings which may have contributed to the crash but today he said the crash was his fault.

"It's a lot more my fault than anything," he said. "It's just the way a lot of the systems work. When it is in first gear it doesn't work. You have to be in second gear (for it to be "armed"). But this track is unique, you stay in first gear until the exit of turn four."

Clearly, no matter how the system works, it didn't put him on the ground. After all, there are three other Ducati MotoGP bikes using the same system and none of those riders have suffered low speed crashes caused by the system not being enabled. If Spies is unfamiliar with how the system works it's because he hasn't ridden the bike much this year due to his injuries.

"If I'd been riding the bike this season it'd probably be something in my head," he said. "I would have realized or maybe been a bit more cautious. Looking at the data I didn't do anything much different than normal (before he crashed in that corner)."

It's definitely more my fault than anything," Spies said.

"I don't think the system helped the situation," Spies continued, "it's not the system that exactly caused it. Can't really say what was the problem. It's just one of those things. I feel bad for the fans and Ducati in general. It was just a stupid, silly mistake. Kind of like we saw with Jorge at Laguna that time. (In 2011 Lorenzo failed to enable the traction control system on his M1 and crashed heavily when the power of his M1 was not controlled by a computer.)

Spies and Hayden look to be on the oldest Ducati frames still in use in MotoGP, but Hayden did well with his yesterday in qualifying and Spies said he was happy with his progress as well. "I think we were doing a good job, but I was not happy to be in 12th place, to be less than one second off the pace of Nicky and Dovi who have raced and tested all season. We hadn't changed the bike at all, and we had two hours on the bike. We were close, and we were going to be able to fight."

After the media left, Spies had to be helped up and hobbled away.

ENDS

 

[wino]

Aussie Jack Miller 'retires'

 

[wino]

grrr bloody thing ^

 

[wino]

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Embedded media from this media site is no longer available

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

Any news yet on the street legal rc 213?

 

[wino]

Any news yet on the street legal rc 213?

patents have been filed.

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

Oh cool. Maybe theyll make a bad ass rare streetbike like the rc45...

 

[wino]

Oh cool. Maybe theyll make a bad ass rare streetbike like the rc45...

rumour is they are and they prolly will but I know I wont be able to afford one.

http://world.honda.com/HRC/

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

A

rumour is they are and they prolly will but I know I wont be able to afford one.

http://world.honda.com/HRC/

Yea I hear ya im figurin in the neighborhood of 150,000. But it would be worth it for a rc 213....may have to take a 2nd mortgage on my house for it lol

 

[wino]

A

Yea I hear ya im figurin in the neighborhood of 150,000. But it would be worth it for a rc 213....may have to take a 2nd mortgage on my house for it lol

Pics I want lotsa pics

on another subject .. .

 

[Scrotty-mcboogerballs]

Isle of man tt...

 

[wino]

the TT Classic has begun. Practice started today/yesterday. And this guy Nick Jefferies makes his return. It will be good.



http://www.iomtt.com/Classic-TT.aspx

 

[wino]

RR »
Dunlop sets 120mph lap in Classic TT practice
21 August 2013

Michael Dunlop tops times in Formula 1 class with 120mph lap as practice begins in earnest for inaugural Classic TT races

• 
  Dunlop sets 120mph lap in Classic TT practice
  Northern Ireland's Michael Dunlop led the way in the first timed practice session for the inaugural Classic TT races last night with a stunning 120mph lap.
  
  Dunlop, who won four races in a week at the TT in June, topped the Formula 1 times at 120.894mph on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69 on his second lap.
  
  The 24-year-old is also due to ride a Molnar Manx Norton in the 500cc race, which takes place on Saturday.
  
  Jamie Coward was second fastest in the Formula 1 category at 116.545mph on a Kawasaki ZXR 750 followed by Steve Mercer (Yamaha FZR 750R) at 115.856mph and Paul Owen on a Kawasaki ZXR 750 at 113.705mph.
  
  Olie Linsdell led the way in the Classic TT 500cc class at 111.385mph on a Paton, with 20-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness second fastest on Roger Winfield's machine with a speed of 111.193mph.
  
  Bruce Anstey was next on a Manx Norton at 106.066mph followed by Cameron Donald (105.949mph) on a Seeley, Jamie Coward (Manx Norton) at 104.912mph and Ian Lougher, riding a Royal Enfield, who lapped at 104.7mph.
  
  William Dunlop was eighth fastest on the Davies Motorsport Honda 500-4.
  
  Lincolnshire's Gary Johnson was tenth on the iconic MV Agusta with a speed of 102.917mph.
  
  Chris Palmer went quickest in the 350cc class on his Drixton Honda at 100.495mph followed by Dan Cooper (Molnar Manx Norton) at 97.831mph and Jamie Hamilton on a Honda, lapping at 97.584mph.
  
  The inaugural Classic TT races get underway on Saturday with the 500cc race, with the 250cc/350cc event and the combined Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula Classic race taking place on Monday.
  
  In the Senior Manx Grand Prix class, Dennis Booth clocked the fastest time on his 750cc Suzuki at 113.19mph.
  
  Andy Farrell (Suzuki) was next at 112.589mph with Gavin Lupton third fastest at 110.572mph, also riding a 750cc Suzuki.
  
  Irish rider Michael Sweeney set the pace in the Junior MGP session on his Yamaha R6, lapping at 116.29mph with Stephen Harper in second (114.279mph).
  
  Sweeney also headed the Supertwin times on his Kawasaki ER6 (110.238mph) with former Isle of Man TT Formula 1 winner Nick Jefferies, who is also competing in the Classic TT on a Honda RC30, second fastest at 107.278mph.

‘A man I appreciate and love’ – Herve Poncharal on Cal Crutchlow

Times of change at Monster Yamaha Tech3

Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Herve Poncharal has expressed his feelings on losing the services of Cal Crutchlow at the end of the current MotoGP™ season. The Englishman, who has been part of Poncharal’s Monster Yamaha Tech3 outfit since 2011, will join Ducati Team in 2014.


Speaking with motogp.com in an exclusive video interview, Team Manager Poncharal talked firstly of Espargaro’s signing:

"The summer was disturbed first by Cal’s departure and the good news that Pol is going to join our team in 2014. Seeing what Pol is doing in Moto2, I am sure that it is going to be an instant…let’s say, success. I believe he will be doing top five and top six results very early in the season. I am very excited because it will be Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro, who have both come from Moto2 and will push each other."

The Frenchman went on to openly describe his close relationship with Crutchlow, both as a rider and a friend, as well as the discussions involving his future:

"I have said it a lot already but I want to say it again: Cal is a very special rider for me. We have had a lot of riders, having been doing this job for almost 30 years – so you can imagine how many we have had! I think Cal is going to be in our memory as one of the outstanding riders.

"What do you want me to do? Cry? I have an incredible relationship with him, on-track and off-track. He is a rider I respect a lot and a man I really appreciate and love. I am not happy to lose him, but on the other hand he took a decision I think is very important for his career; he is going to be a full factory rider, he is going to have a decent salary and, if he can make that challenge work where some big names have failed, I think it is going to be very exciting. We will follow him; he will still come to eat in our hospitality, he will still come to visit us between races at our workshop and, who knows what is going to happen? In two or three years’ time he might be back with us.

"As Tech3 team manager, I tried to make the best offer I could to him. As a friend, we talked. Sometimes it is difficult to be managing the Tech3 company as well as trying to advise him – as does every rider, Cal was looking for advice and it was a big decision for him. I believe he made a good decision. I don’t know if it is the right decision…[pause]…I believe it is the right decision. He is going to be a full factory rider, he has a big challenge and there are a lot of high level technicians behind it."

Crutchlow’s current teammate Bradley Smith is also saddened to see his compatriot departing but looks forward to resuming his battle with old rival Espargaro.

"I am very disappointed to see Cal leave," Smith says. "He is someone great to have inside the garage and he does create a great atmosphere. Pol is someone who I have raced against all of my career; our career paths have gone pretty much the same way, all the way through our careers. It will be quite nice to have someone that is the same age and is going to be a rookie like I am, and things like that. (However) he will just be another guy - and another guy that I will have to try to beat."

To date, Crutchlow – who hails from Coventry but currently resides on the Isle of Man – has achieved six podium finishes with the Tech3 team, including second places at this year’s French and German Grands Prix. This season has also seen the 27-year-old achieve a maiden MotoGP™ pole position, at the Dutch TT in June.

 

[McM]

grrr bloody thing ^

View attachment 133454 View attachment 133455 View attachment 133456 View attachment 133457 View attachment 133458 View attachment 133459 View attachment 133460 View attachment 133461

That's a cool machine !!

 

[wino]

Bradl sets Friday pace at Brno

Brno 2013 - MotoGP - FP2 - Highlights

Friday, 23 August 2013
A late lap from Stefan Bradl saw the LCR Honda MotoGP rider demote Jorge Lorenzo to second place in Friday afternoon practice ahead of the bwin Grand Prix České republiky. Behind the reigning World Champion, the top three was completed by last year’s winner Dani Pedrosa.


Lorenzo was fastest in both practice sessions as the Brno weekend began, but only until Bradl delivered his final 1’56.500 effort to snatch the top spot by three hundredths of a second. Pedrosa trailed Lorenzo by only a further six hundredths, following on from their last-lap battle in 2012.

Valentino Rossi was fourth on the second Yamaha Factory Racing machine, pushing championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) down to fifth ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech3 duo Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith. Completing the top ten were Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini) and Ducati Team partners Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden.

The Ignite Pramac Racing bike was ridden by Michele Pirro, covering for Ben Spies who suffered new injuries in a crash last Saturday, whereas Austria’s Martin Bauer made his debut as a wildcard with his privately-entered Remus Racing Team outfit, ending the day 23rd in the 25-rider field. Local Czech favourites Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing, riding with an injured shoulder) and Lukas Pesek (Came IodaRacing Project) finished proceedings in respective 22nd and 24th spots.

The sole faller of the day was Gresini’s Bryan Staring, who lost control of his CRT bike during the morning session. The qualifying running order will be determined at the end of third practice, which will start at 9:55am local time (GMT +2) on Saturday.