Hopkins fastest in opening practice
John Hopkins set the pace in a damp opening free practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello with a last-gasp flier that snatched glory away from home hero Loris Capirossi
The session took place in damp conditions following some early morning downpours.
In a session dominated by riders using Bridgestone tyres for the most part, Hopkins' performance validated that of Kawasaki teammate Anthony West, who had harangued the established front-runners for most of the hour.
In the end, the Californian's lap of 1:54.053 put him 0.467 seconds ahead of Capirossi, with West a further tenth behind in third.
Despite HRC bringing three factory Hondas to Mugello, as veteran Tadayuki Okada makes his GP return after quitting the sport at the end of the Australian GP in 2000, it was the Gresini bikes, on the Bridgestone tyres that set the pace.
Alex de Angelis, who at one point was fastest of all, ended the session fourth ahead of teammate Shinya Nakano.
Andrea Dovizioso was the fastest Michelin rider on the JiR Scot Honda in sixth, while Chris Vermeulen was seventh on the second of the Suzukis.
Dani Pedrosa eventually ended the session eighth, having battled for the top spot with Casey Stoner for much of the hour.
World championship leader and winner of the last two races, Valentino Rossi, was tenth.
Pos Rider Bike Time Gap 1. John Hopkins Kawasaki Racing 1:54.053 2. Loris Capirossi Rizla Suzuki 1:54.520 +0.467 3. Anthony West Kawasaki Racing 1:55.021 +0.968 4. Alex de Angelis Honda Gresini 1:55.141 +1.088 5. Shinya Nakano Honda Gresini 1:55.528 +1.475 6. Andrea Dovizioso JiR Honda 1:55.718 +1.665 7. Chris Vermeulen Rizla Suzuki 1:55.774 +1.721 8. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda 1:55.805 +1.752 9. Casey Stoner Ducati Marlboro 1:58.618 +4.565 10. Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha 1:58.672 +4.619 11. Randy de Puniet LCR Honda 1:59.240 +5.187 12. Nicky Hayden Repsol Honda 1:59.436 +5.383 13. James Toseland Tech 3 Yamaha 1:59.899 +5.846 14. Jorge Lorenzo Fiat Yamaha 2:00.004 +5.951 15. Marco Melandri Ducati Marlboro 2:00.162 +6.109 16. Sylvain Guintoli Alice Ducati 2:01.718 +7.665 17. Tadayuki Okada Repsol Honda 2:02.810 +8.757 18. Toni Elias Alice Ducati 2:03.305 +9.252 19. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 2:03.774 +9.721
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