MotoGP: Espargaro sets record pace in FP2

Aleix Espargaro set a new track record in the second MotoGP practice session for the Dutch TT at Assen with the fastest time of the day in 1m33.653s.

Running on the soft tire in the final moments of the session, the Forward Racing rider managed to hook up a perfect lap to demote session-long leader Marc Marquez from the top of the order.

In doing so, Espargaro beat Casey Stoner's fastest lap record by 0.06 second, which the Australian set in 2012.

Marquez led the way for the majority of the 45-minute practice period, having set the pace on the sixth lap of his first run, despite experiencing an out-of-shape moment on the inside curbs of Duikersloot. The current championship leader made further improvements before the checkered flag, but fell 0.211sec short of Espargaro's pace-setting time.

Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa showed good pace to finish in the top three, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Iannone.

Bradley Smith came sixth and is coping well with the omission of a few key personnel today as chief mechanic Guy Coulon is busy dealing with business commitments, while mechanic Steve Blackburn suffered a hip injury while cycling around the track on Wednesday.

Valentino Rossi ended the day ahead of first practice pacesetter Pol Espargaro, who was 0.755sec slower than his brother this time around.

Stefan Bradl and Andrea Dovizioso completed the top ten, with the Ducati rider just 0.003sec behind his LCR Honda rival.