Stoner fastest in first practice
Casey Stoner continued where he left off in Germany, by setting the fastest time in the first free practice session for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring
The Ducati rider once again dominated and his time of 1:22.318 was three tenths clear of Alex de Angelis, who was second quickest on the Gresini Honda.
The San Marino rider has flattered to deceive on several occasions this year, going fast on Friday only to have faded by Sunday. This time his free practice pace was good enough to bump Valentino Rossi down to third.
World championship leader Dani Pedrosa was fourth on the first factory Honda, with Andrea Dovizioso and Shinya Nakano on satellite RC212Vs, just behind him.
Colin Edwards was seventh on the Tech 3 Yamaha, but his teammate James Toseland did not fare so well.
The Englishman fell heavily in the early minutes of the session, trashing his M1, but fortunately walking away unscathed.
It's unclear what caused the crash, but with overcast skies and rain in the air, grip levels were low on-track.
Nicky Hayden continued with his pneumatic-valve Honda in eighth, ahead of Randy de Puniet, while Jorge Lorenzo completed the top ten.
Pos Rider Bike Time 1. Casey Stoner Ducati (B) 1:22.318 2. Alex De Angelis Honda (B) 1:22.582 + 0.264 3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha (B) 1:22.617 + 0.299 4. Dani Pedrosa Honda (M) 1:22.759 + 0.441 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda (M) 1:22.999 + 0.681 6. Shinya Nakano Honda (B) 1:23.038 + 0.720 7. Colin Edwards Yamaha (M) 1:23.132 + 0.814 8. Nicky Hayden Honda (M) 1:23.214 + 0.896 9. Randy De Puniet Honda (M) 1:23.360 + 1.042 10. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha (M) 1:23.449 + 1.131 11. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki (B) 1:23.462 + 1.144 12. Anthony West Kawasaki (B) 1:23.627 + 1.309 13. Sylvain Guintoli Ducati (B) 1:23.728 + 1.410 14. Toni Elias Ducati (B) 1:24.086 + 1.768 15. Marco Melandri Ducati (B) 1:24.117 + 1.799 16. James Toseland Yamaha (M) 1:24.486 + 2.168 17. Loris Capirossi Suzuki (B) 1:24.646 + 2.328
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