Moto GP: Cal Crutchlow second fastest in Assen practice

Cal Crutchlow showed no ill-effects from his ankle injury as the British rider was second fastest in practice for the Netherlands Grand Prix.

Two weeks after breaking his ankle, Crutchlow clocked a time of one minute 34.872 seconds in the second session at Assen to finish just 0.006 seconds behind last year's winner Ben Spies.

Nicky Hayden was third fastest on his Ducati with a time of 1:34.968.

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo recorded the fifth fastest time.

Yamaha rider Lorenzo, who won the British Grand Prix last time out, was fastest in the morning session.

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Crutchlow broke a bone in his left ankle during practice for his home Grand Prix at Silverstone a fortnight ago, but chose to battle through the pain to take part in the race.

It was a risk worth taking as the 26-year-old finished sixth, an even more impressive result considering he had to start from the back of the grid having missed qualifying to have his ankle checked out in hospital.

Crutchlow has decided to delay an operation to continue racing and said: "I am happy to be second quickest considering my physical condition is certainly still not the best after the crash at Silverstone.

"This morning was a bit of a shock to be honest because although I have been able to do a bit of cycling at home on the Isle of Man as part of the recovery, it definitely wasn't easy.

"There was quite a bit of pain with the ankle this morning and it took me longer than normal to get into a rhythm. But overall I am really pleased to be second because I am still quite sore.

"I am sure it is going to get better the more time I spend on the bike but I had arm pump this morning too because I was compensating for the ankle. But this afternoon it wasn't an issue at all."

Gresini Honda's Alvaro Bautista, who started on pole at Silverstone, clocked the fourth fastest time.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa finished sixth while Crutchlow's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso took seventh.

Ducati's Valentino Rossi recorded the eighth fastest time, ahead of Pramac's Hector Barbera.

The top 10 was completed by Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner, who appeared to be struggling with a number of issues on his bike.