MotoGP Motegi FP4: Marquez dictates the pace, Rossi on the ground

Japanese GP MotoGP Free Practice 4 – The fourth free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix, not valid for the purposes of entering Q2, saw the drivers take to the track again with rain tyres. The weather was once again the dominant factor on the second day of testing, which at the moment did not allow the drivers to take part in even one session on slick tyres.

The fastest of this fourth free practice session was once again Marc Marquez, who after having obtained the best time in FP1 and FP3, was also the fastest in these FP4. The world championship leader stopped the clock at a time of 1:54.581, ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa by 1.532s.

Three Ducatis follow, those of Jorge Lorenzo, Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso, all aboard Desmosedici GP 17s, separated by 1.956s, 2.175s and 2.187s respectively. Sixth time for Johann Zarco (the French rookie ended up on the ground without consequences) who preceded Valentino Rossi, who also fell, also without physical consequences. In the fall Rossi reported no problems with his right leg which was operated on after the fracture of the tibia and fibula which occurred on August 31st while training with the enduro motorbike.

Returning to the ranking, we find Maverick Vinales in eighth position and ahead of Tito Rabat and Sam Lowes, who closes the Top Ten.

Photos: Alex Farinelli