MotoGP Sepang: Crutchlow tops FP2 as Binder sets overall Friday pace

Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder set the Friday pace in MotoGP after rain hit the Sepang circuit for afternoon practice.

WithU Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow was on dominant form in the challenging conditions as he reigned supreme in FP2 almost a second faster than Ducati Lenovo’s Pecco Bagnaia with Binder locking out the overall standings thanks to his morning 1’59.479.

Binder took charge as practice fired up in Malaysia for the first time in three years. The South African’s final effort bettering Phillip Island victor Alex Rins by a mere 0.097s with Marc Marquez continuing to show his returning potential on the Repsol Honda from third.

Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo had initially held court in the morning session before the final runs shuffled the pack. The reigning champion opting not to utilise fresh rubber for the late-session shootout as he settled for seventh, with title rival Bagnaia doing likewise from fourth places behind.

Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro had a challenging morning after suffering both a turn eight fall on an out lap and a technical issue on his second RS-GP, with the third championship hopeful ending the session 20th. Brother Pol picking up a three place grid penalty after rejoining the track unsafely. Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi and WithU Yamaha’s Darryn Binder both suffered their own crashes in the initial action with the Italian regrouping to round out the top ten by the close of FP1.

The afternoon session kicked off under wet conditions after a heavy downpour during the delayed Moto2 action. Yamaha’s Franky Morbidelli leading the way with a 2’15.423 from LCR’s Alex Marquez and Bezzecchi before Jorge Martin bettered the runner-up on the Prima Pramac Ducati and Morbidelli advanced the pace with a