Stoner tops wet warm-up
Reigning world champion Casey Stoner topped the times in the warm-up on a sodden track at Shanghai
Stoner topped the times halfway through the session, twice lowering his best time over the next ten minutes of the session. But with one minute remaining, Dani Pedrosa put his Repsol Honda on top of the times with a time of 2:14.267, John Hopkins having almost taken top spot a few seconds earlier.
However, Stoner and Valentino Rossi, as well as Pedrosa, still had time for one more lap. Stoner was the first to set a time, and with a time of 2:13.055, gave his rivals something to chase.
Rossi improved to go to second but was nearly a second slower than Stoner, while Pedrosa failed to improve his time.
Hopkins' late effort was good enough for him to finish fourth-fastest, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, Alex de Angelis and Chris Vermeulen, with pole man Colin Edwards next fastest in eighth.
After strong performances in qualifying for James Toseland, Loris Capirossi and Jorge Lorenzo, today's wet warm-up proved not to be to their liking, ending the session in 14th, 16th and 17th respectively.
Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 2:13.055 2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 2:13.971 + 0.916 3. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 2:14.267 + 1.212 4. John Hopkins Kawasaki (B) 2:14.414 + 1.359 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 2:14.560 + 1.505 6. Alex de Angelis Honda (B) 2:14.749 + 1.694 7. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 2:15.158 + 2.103 8. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 2:15.491 + 2.436 9. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 2:15.666 + 2.611 10. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 2:15.692 + 2.637 11. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 2:15.909 + 2.854 12. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 2:15.976 + 2.921 13. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 2:15.976 + 2.921 14. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 2:16.574 + 3.519 15. Randy de Puniet Honda (M) 2:16.970 + 3.915 16. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 2:17.047 + 3.992 17. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 2:20.284 + 7.229 18. Toni Elías Ducati (B) 2:21.986 + 8.931
Share Or Save This Story
How an F1 mechanics’ reunion recalled stories of working practices that would now send HR into meltdown
MotoGP Czech GP: Ogura scorches to first pole position
Has Alpine finally started its return climb?
Formula E Sanya: Dennis wins red-flagged race as championship leader Evans retires
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments