125cc – Phillip Island FP2 – Di Meglio fastest in the wet

Good morning, or rather, goodnight to all Italian fans. At Phillip Island, the Saturday of track activity begins immediately with the second and final free practice session, wet with water and with the usual, usual protagonist of these weather conditions at the top of the time monitor: Mike Di Meglio, Honda's representative Kopron Scot set the best time in 1'50"451, covering 20 laps without having a crash. The 19-year-old Frenchman preceded the increasingly convincing Sandro Cortese by 493 thousandths, a German from the Emmi Caffè Latte team who showed that he has good talent despite a "very private" package at his disposal. Third in the standings is our Simone Corsi, followed by Michael Ranseder, Bradley Smith, Tomoyoshi Koyama and the very young Yankee Steve Bonsey, at ease on a slippery track given his recent (winning) history in dirt track, where he has amassed titles in the States.

Behind the KTM standard bearer is Raffaele De Rosa, with Gabor Talmacsi behind him preceding Dino Lombardi, who was also fast in the rain (remember the 4th time in Mugello Qualifying?). As always, the other big names in the eighth-litre class preferred not to take risks: Hector Faubel was 22nd, Mattia Pasini two positions back. Meanwhile in Victoria, good weather is expected for the afternoon, with the track gradually drying out in view of the third and final free practice session reserved for the MotoGP.

Alessio Piana