orenzo fastest in Le Mans second practice

After beginning his MotoGP title defence with victory in Qatar, Lorenzo has been outshone by Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez, who he trails by 17 points in the standings.

Defending MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo set a blistering pace to top the timesheets in second practice for the Grand Prix of France after Dani Pedrosa led the way in the first session at Le Mans.

After beginning his MotoGP title defence with victory in Qatar, Lorenzo has been outshone by Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez, who he trails by 17 points in the standings. 

But Lorenzo — who will leave Movistar Yamaha for Ducati at the end of the season — laid down a marker ahead of Saturday's qualifying by going fastest in second practice.

Lorenzo set the pace with a time of one minute and 32.830 seconds, with Ducati's Andrea Iannone 0.339 secs behind, while Marquez (1'33.313) ended the session third quickest.

Earlier, Marquez's team-mate Pedrosa topped the charts in the first session, recording a time of one minute and 34.042 secs.

Lorenzo had ended that session in second ahead of Marquez, Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso and fellow Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi.