LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl has high expectations heaped on him by an excited home crowd and in today’s first day of practices at Sachsenring circuit the premier class rookie gave his local fans something to celebrate as he set the second fastest lap time in the wet behind Pedrosa.

In this morning hot and humid first session the local hero approached his home track aboard a MotoGP machine for the first time, managing to finish in ninth position. But in the afternoon session a torrential downpour hit the German surface so the majority of riders headed out onto the track to deal with their wet weather race set-up, including Bradl, who made full use of the wet conditions finishing second (1’32.304).

Stefan Bradl

“It was a first crazy day because the weather was so unpredictable. This morning the sun was shining and we had very good track temperature but later in the afternoon it was pretty unstable with on and off rain showers. In those conditions it’s difficult to find the proper set up, but at the end we made some little adjustments that helped me to get more feeling in the wet. Unfortunately we could not fine-tune the bike in the dry because of the weather, but in both conditions we are prepared. Second position looks fantastic and it’s a good feeling for me and the team but we keep our feet on the ground.”

Press release courtesy of LCR Honda MotoGP.