Iannone puts Suzuki on top in Sepang

Andrea Iannone was fastest on the second day of the MotoGP pre-season test at Sepang.

The new Suzuki rider clocked a blistering 1:59.45s in the final minutes of an eventful session at the Malaysian circuit.

The Italian’s strong finish saw him eclipse Monday’s best time set by Ducati test rider Casey Stoner by 0.22s.

Iannone’s effort came after the session was red flagged with an hour remaining when Marc VDS Honda rider Tito Rabat crashed heavily at Turn 7.

The Spaniard was transferred to a hospital in Putrajaya with suspected injuries to his left knee and right wrist.

Maverick Vinales improved in the final minutes as he ended the day in second just 0.4s shy of Iannone.

Vinales’ Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi was fourth behind the Aspar Ducati of Alvaro Bautista.

Both factory Yamaha riders tested a new front fairing design as the team searches for aerodynamic gains following the much publicised winglet ban.

Reigning Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco was fifth aboard the Tech3 Yamaha ahead of Avintia Ducati’s Hector Barbera.

The factory Ducatis of Andrea Dovizioso and new signing Jorge Lorenzo occupied seventh and eighth with the latter making a significant improvement from Monday’s run.

MotoGP rookie Jonas Folger (Tech3 Yamaha) and world champion Marc Marquez (Honda) rounded out the top 10.

Marquez suffered an electrical fault that saw the Spaniard stop on track early in the afternoon.

Australia’s Jack Miller ended the day in 21st position for Marc VDS Honda.

Countryman Stoner will jump aboard the factory Ducati for the final day of the test which concludes on Wednesday.

Result: MotoGP pre-season testing Day 2, Sepang