Marquez, Dovizioso withdraw from 2nd free practice for Japan GP

Motegi (Japan), Oct 20: Marc Marquez of Spain and Italy's Andrea Dovizioso decided not to take part in Friday's second free practice session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix due to unfavourable track conditions.

Marquez dominated much of the first free practice before falling to the fourth fastest in the last minutes of the session, which was led by Dovizioso, reports Efe.

"This morning in the dry, the feeling was good, and with half-and-half conditions in the afternoon, we decided not to lap, even though I am normally strong in that situation," the 2018 Moto GP Championship leader, Marquez, said in a statement made available by the Repsol Honda website.

"I saw that Dovi is going to be fast this weekend. Anyway, it does not matter, as we will keep the same mentality as always and keep working," he added.

The 25-year-old also pointed out that "acceleration and braking stability" needed more improvements.

Meanwhile, Marquez teammate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa set the pace for the second free practice session, clocking in a time of one minute and 48.136 seconds.

The Japanese Grand Prix is to kick off on Sunday at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.