Spaniard Maverick Vinales has reminded everyone why he will be battling at the front in the 2017 MotoGP title after he set a withering best lap on day two of the pre-season test at Phillip Island.

Vinales aboard the Movistar Yamaha sizzled around the grand prix track in a best lap of 1min28.847secs fairly early in today’s proceedings, and that was the benchmark for the balance of the eight-hour session.

The current lap record is held by world champion Marc Marquez with a 1:28.108, set in 2013.

After topping the timesheets yesterday, Marquez (1:29.309) was second fastest on day two, ahead of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda, 1:29.325), the clearly rejuvenated Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Ducati, 1:29.411) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati, 1:29,483).

Marquez completed an exhaustive day two, lapping Phillip Island 107 times – 14 times more than the next prolific, rookie Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, 1:29.501) was sixth fastest, with the top 10 completed by Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3, 1:29.664), Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha, 1:29.674), Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki, 1:29.802) and Aussie Jack Miller (Team EG 0,0 Marc VDS, 1:29.838).

Among those to slip out of the top 10 after day one were Andrea Iannone (Ecstar Suzuki) and Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing Ducati), while three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati) was back in 15th.

The test session will conclude tomorrow, as long race-type runs will give away to all-out attack in the final few minutes as riders seek to lower their best times.

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – World’s Motorcycling Mecca

MotoGP Official Test: 15-17 February 2017 – Superbike World Championship Test: 21-22 February 2017 – Round One 2017 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship: 24-26 February 2017 

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