Smith leads the way at Le Mans

A late crash will do little to take the shine off Bradley Smith’s performance in FP2 with the Englishman topping the times at Le Mans ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso. It’s the first time since Catalunya last year that Smith has topped a session with the Tech3 rider setting his time on his penultimate lap before falling on his final tour of the French circuit.

Jorge Lorenzo had set the pace for most of the session with the Spaniard looking smooth and comfortable on track. Dovizioso backed up his pace in FP1 by consolidating his performance with another strong showing in the afternoon. The Italian had a disappointing weekend at Jerez, an engine braking problem dropping him down the field, but has looked very comfortable on the opening day.

Championship leader Valentino Rossi was sixth fastest trailing Cal Crutchlow and Marc Marquez.