Iker Lecuona tops first ever MotoGP session in wet-dry FP2

Iker Lecuona tops his first ever MotoGP session by the tune of 3.3 seconds after making a late switch to dry tyres.
Iker Lecuona, Austrian MotoGP, 13 August 2021
Iker Lecuona, Austrian MotoGP, 13 August 2021
© Gold and Goose

Tech 3 KTM rider Iker Lecuona has topped his first ever MotoGP session thanks to a switch to dry tyres after heavy rain fell before FP2 began.

As was the case in FP2 last weekend, Lecuona got to grips with the wet conditions quicker than anyone else. 

The Tech 3 KTM rider was over half a second clear of the field during the opening 15 minutes. 

However, that changed once Jack Miller went to the top of the leaderboard, while team-mate Francesco Bagnaia was running in a comfortable third place before he too displaced Lecuona to form a Ducati 1-2. 

Miller and Lecuona continued to exchange first place until Pol Espargaro went quickest for Repsol Honda. The Spanish rider was one of the last riders to head out on track. 

Marc Marquez became the fourth rider to then lead the way after changing from soft to medium wet tyres. 

On his way to setting even quicker lap times, Marquez then went down the inside of Joan Mir at the final corner which seemed to frustrate the Suzuki rider. 

No contact was made between the pair as Marquez was over three seconds quicker than his fellow countryman. 

Miguel Oliveira had to pull off track with 15 minutes remaining with what looked like a technical issue.

Both factory Ducati riders took to the gravel at different stages after getting their braking at turn four wrong.

Johann Zarco moved up to second late on, as did Aleix Espargaro in third. Marc Marquez was fourth - one spot ahead of fellow rain specialist Miller who also made a late switch to slicks. 

Alex Marquez was sixth fastest for LCR Honda, while Alex Rins, Pol Espargaro, Fabio Quartararo and Brad Binder rounded out the top ten.

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