Pedrosa leads in first practice
Dani Pedrosa got his home race off to a good start with the fastest time in first free practice session for the Grand Prix of Catalunya
The factory Honda rider's fastest lap of 1:43.691 could not be beaten, despite late efforts from Valentino Rossi, who is sporting new colours for the weekend in honour of the Italian national football side.
Jorge Lorenzo was third quickest on the Michelin-shod Yamaha ahead of Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen, who moved up to fourth with his last lap of the session.
Colin Edwards did a similar thing to go fifth on the fastest of the Tech 3 Yamahas, while Alex de Angelis once again showed his pace for Gresini in sixth.
Andrea Dovizioso was seventh ahead of Casey Stoner, who fell during the session, with Loris Capirossi and James Toseland completing the top 10.
Randy de Puniet and Tony Elias both had big crashes at Turn Three, both appearing to lose control in a puddle left on the kerb by overnight rain. Elias's Ducati was utterly destroyed as it catapulted end over end in the gravel trap.
Pos Rider Bike Time Gap 1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1:43.691 2. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1:43.835 +0.144 3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1:43.961 +0.270 4. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 1:43.968 +0.277 5. Colin Edwards Yamaha 1:43.971 +0.280 6. Alex de Angelis Honda 1:44.021 +0.330 7. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1:44.163 +0.472 8. Casey Stoner Ducati 1:44.245 +0.554 9. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 1:44.251 +0.560 10. James Toseland Yamaha 1:44.263 +0.572 11. John Hopkins Kawasaki 1:44.291 +0.600 12. Shinya Nakano Honda 1:44.378 +0.687 13. Randy de Puniet Honda 1:44.388 +0.697 14. Nicky Hayden Honda 1:44.482 +0.791 15. Marco Melandri Ducati 1:44.649 +0.958 16. Anthony West Kawasaki 1:45.416 +1.725 17. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati 1:45.474 +1.783 18. Toni Elias Ducati 1:46.064 +2.373
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