Lorenzo tops Friday practice at Motegi

Jorge Lorenzo

Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo led the way during a tightly-contested Friday practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Lorenzo moved to the front with a time of 1:45.151 in the closing stages of the second 45-minute session as he wound up just 0.053s clear of Andrea Dovizioso, who topped the first session.

Maverick Vinales was third for Suzuki, just 0.097s slower than pace setter Lorenzo, with Marc Marquez close behind in fourth.

Márquez, chasing his third MotoGP title, crashed at low-speed at Turn 10 but was able to pick the bike up and continue on his run plan.

Cal Crutchlow was fifth for LCR Honda, in front of Suzuki's Aleix Espargaro and Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, while Danilo Petrucci took eighth for Pramac.

Dani Pedrosa was ninth but suffered a frightening crash at Turn 11, with the Spaniard pitched through the air before landing heavily in the run-off.

Pedrosa was able to limp away from the scene but was taken to the medical center for further checks.

Eugene Laverty was another to visit the medical center after he was stretchered away from a high-speed accident at Turn 6.

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