Moto2: Scott Redding sets the Friday standard

Scott Redding set the pace during Friday practice for the Portuguese Moto2 Grand Prix at Estoril.

The Englishman, sixth and fourth in the opening rounds, put his Marc VDS Kalex 0.203s ahead of title leader Marc Marquez, with fellow Suter rider Thomas Luthi claiming third.

Behind Luthi in fourth was arguably the surprise of the day in the form of Mapfre Aspar's 2010 Moto2 World Champion Toni El?as, who is beginning to rekindle some of his previous form.

Jerez race-winner, Pons 40 HP Tuenti rider Pol Espargar?, could not repeat his feat in the morning session where he finished first, yet still managed a strong showing in fifth, just over half a second behind Redding.

He finished in front of Tech 3 Racing?s Bradley Smith, who will be looking for a stronger performance this weekend after a slightly disappointing outing in Jerez.

Seventh place went to NGM Mobile Forward Racing?s Alex de Angelis, ahead of Technomag-CIP?s Dominique Aegerter and JiR Moto2?s French rookie Johann Zarco. Rounding out the top ten is Redding?s teammate Mika Kallio, just under a second off the top.

Thai Honda Gresini Moto2?s Ratthapark Wilairot crashed with 22 minutes remaining, while S/Master Speed Up?s Mike Di Meglio followed suit with seven minutes to go. Both were unhurt and managed to return to the pits.

Friday practice (2):

1.Scott ReddingGBR (Kalex)1m 41.775s
2.Marc MarquezSPA (Suter)1m 41.978s
3.Thomas LuthiSWI (Suter)1m 42.176s
4.Toni EliasSPA (Suter)1m 42.227s
5.Pol EspargaroSPA (Kalex)1m 42.365s
6.Bradley SmithGBR (Tech 3)1m 42.574s
7.Alex De AngelisRSM (Suter)1m 42.582s
8.Dominique AegerterSWI (Suter)1m 42.601s
9.Johann ZarcoFRA (MotoBI)1m 42.669s
10.Mika KallioFIN (Kalex)1m 42.711s
11.Ricard CardusSPA (AJR)1m 42.732s
12.Claudio CortiITA (Kalex)1m 42.777s
13.Simone CorsiITA (FTR)1m 42.784s
14.Xavier SimeonBEL (Tech 3)1m 42.896s
15.Takaaki NakagamiJPN (Kalex)1m 42.918s