Stoner dominates first day at Valencia

The Ducati rider, who dominated the 2007 season with 10 victories, continued to show impressive form, lapping over eight tenths of a second faster than Nicky Hayden in the updated Honda RC212V.

Valencian GP winner Dani Pedrosa was fifth quickest in the second HRC bike.

Chris Vermeulen was third fastest for Rizla Suzuki, who were joined by Loris Capirossi, the Italian testing for his new team for the first time.

Capirossi had a good first day in the hybrid bike, finishing right behind Vermeulen.

"The first couple of hours that I have ridden the Suzuki have been very good," said the Italian. "The feeling in the bike is excellent and I already have a good relationship with the team, and I think for me this is the best condition that it could be.

"We have one more day to work, but I am very happy for the start we have had today. We need to keep our concentration for the rest of the test, but so far I am really pleased with the way things are going!"

Two-time 250cc world champion Jorge Lorenzo took to the track with his new Yamaha, the Spaniard finishing as 10th quickest after 50 laps. Fellow debutants Alex de Angelis and Andrea Dovizioso were 13th and 14th respectively.

The test continues tomorrow.

Pos  Rider                   Team                 Time     Laps
 1.  Casey Stoner            Ducati Marlboro      1:32.348  26
 2.  Nicky Hayden            Repsol Honda         1:33.176  26
 3.  Chris Vermeulen         Rizla Suzuki         1:33.186  49
 4.  Loris Capirossi         Rizla Suzuki         1:33.266  34
 5.  Dani Pedrosa            Repsol Honda         1:33.387  35
 6.  Toni Elias              Pramac d'Antin       1:33.508  42
 7.  Randy de Puniet         Honda LCR            1:33.563  59
 8.  Shinya Nakano           Honda Gresini        1:33.901  46
 9.  John Hopkins            Kawasaki             1:34.277  43
10.  Jorge Lorenzo           Fiat Yamaha          1:34.330  50
11.  Sylvain Guintoli        Pramac d'Antin       1:34.367  45
12.  Marco Melandri          Ducati Marlboro      1:34.433  44
13.  Alex de Angelis         Honda Gresini        1:34.471  47
14.  Andrea Dovizioso        JiR Team Scot        1:34.760  48
15.  Nobu Aoki               Rizla Suzuki         1:35.564  48
16.  Olivier Jacque          Kawasaki             1:35.727  50
17.  Vittoriano Guareschi    Ducati Marlboro      1:36.115  29