Stoner leads first practice at Assen
Casey Stoner continued where he left off at Donington Park last week by dominating the first practice session for the Dutch TT at Assen this morning
The reigning MotoGP champion was a second faster than his nearest rival for the majority of the 60-minute session, although the Repsol Hondas were able to close the gap to just over half a second by the end.
Nicky Hayden and Tech3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards closed the gap on Stoner mid way through the session, prompting the Australian to break into the 1:36s on his next lap and restore his cushion.
Dani Pedrosa wound up third, behind Hayden, as the Hondas emerged as Ducati's closest challenger.
Edwards finished the session fourth, just ahead of Alex De Angelis and Valentino Rossi, with the trio covered by less than half a tenth.
Jorge Lorenzo was 11th quickest, one place ahead of Loris Capirossi, who is making his return to the series after missing the Donington Park race with a hand injury sustained at Barcelona.
Capirossi was still the quickest Suzuki, though, two places ahead of teammate Chris Vermeulen. Briton James Toseland split the pair in 13th place.
Pos Rider Team Time Laps 1. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro Team 1:36.569 24 2. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda Team 1:37.186 + 0.617 26 3. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 1:37.398 + 0.829 25 4. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1:37.437 + 0.868 28 5. Alex De Angelis San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.470 + 0.901 27 6. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha Team 1:37.480 + 0.911 27 7. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1:37.507 + 0.938 27 8. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing Team 1:37.652 + 1.083 25 9. Shinya Nakano San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:37.821 + 1.252 27 10. Randy De Puniet LCR Honda MotoGP 1:37.951 + 1.382 24 11. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha Team 1:37.987 + 1.418 28 12. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:38.082 + 1.513 27 13. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:38.198 + 1.629 26 14. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1:38.341 + 1.772 25 15. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Team 1:38.435 + 1.866 27 16. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing Team 1:38.768 + 2.199 28 17. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro Team 1:39.020 + 2.451 22 18. Toni Elias Alice Team 1:39.805 + 3.236 24
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