MotoGP to reintroduce third practice

The early session was cut as part of the cost-cutting measures adopted for the 2009 season, but many riders have complained about a lack of track time - especially with testing also banned.

In a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission at Brno today, it was decided that a Friday morning practice session would take place at the inaugural Aragon event in September, and that this could pave the way for additional practice at subsequent events too.

Instead of the current format of an hour-long practice session on Friday and Saturday followed by an hour's qualifying, there will be three practice sessions reduced to 45 minutes across the two days. Qualifying will now also only be 45 minutes in duration on Saturday afternoon.

"This schedule has been accepted for Aragon and afterwards we will see if it has worked well, and then possibly implement it again at Valencia and Estoril this year," said Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta.