Marquez, the man to beat

 Marc Marquez led a Repsol Honda Team one-two in Friday’s second free practice session for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. The championship leader, who had already topped the morning period, maintained first position into the afternoon as teammate Dani Pedrosa and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl joined him inside the top three. As Marquez reduced the leading time to 1’39.502, Pedrosa – who briefly held P1 himself – was denied by less than one tenth of a second. Bradl - who suffered a fall this afternoon – jumped ahead of World Champion Lorenzo in the closing moments, who in-turn pipped Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow to fourth place. On the second Yamaha Factory Racing machine, Lorenzo’s teammate Valentino Rossi rounded out the first group of six. There was a welcome return to action for Ignite Pramac Racing’s Ben Spies, all set to start his first race since Austin. The American ended the day in 13th place, whereas Energy T.I. Pramac Racing entrant Andrea Iannone was 14th and also making a return to the championship from injury. Ahead of them, positions seven to ten were occupied by Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), Bradley Smith (Tech3) and Ducati Team duo Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso. The field was completed by wildcard rider Blake Young (Attack Performance Racing), while Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham was declared fit to continue competing despite suffering contusion of his left shoulder and left foot in a heavy highside crash during the first session; the Czech finished the day in 22nd position. There was a brief red flag stoppage in the afternoon when a marker became dislodged on the entry to Turn 1 - this was swiftly removed by the marshals.