Stoner moves ahead in second practice

The world champion, who topped the times in his Ducati from the halfway point of the hour, even survived a late trip through the gravel to set a time of 1:57.231.

Rossi, who for much of practice trailed Stoner by half a second, closed the gap back up in the final moments to go just 0.179s slower.

Both riders were using Bridgestone tyres, which are clearly the rubber to have this weekend, with Colin Edwards' Tech 3 Yamaha the only Michelin-shod bike to break into the top ten (in seventh).

Loris Capirossi was an impressive third for Suzuki, snatching the position late in the day from Shinya Nakano, who appears to be Honda's best hope of success for the weekend.

The Japanese rider is on a Gresini-run factory bike for the first time this year, and has been consistently fast all day, while Repsol star Dani Pedrosa seems to still be struggling with his injured wrist.

The Spaniard ended the day 16th, with only Anthony West (Kawasaki) slower, and having run at the back in the morning session as well, his continued participation this weekend may be in doubt.

Gresini's Alex de Angelis was fifth fastest, despite an early fall, while Chris Vermuelen ended up sixth on the second Suzuki.

John Hopkins continued his return with eighth place for Kawasaki despite another crash, while Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli completed the top ten for Alice Ducati.

Other fallers included Randy de Puniet, who wiped out both of his LCR Hondas, and James Toseland, who ran off track slowly into the gravel but lost his balance before falling over. The Briton ended the day 13th.

Pos  Rider             Bike           Time
 1.  Casey Stoner      Ducati    (B)  1:57.231
 2.  Valentino Rossi   Yamaha    (B)  1:57.410  + 0.179
 3.  Loris Capirossi   Suzuki    (B)  1:58.000  + 0.769
 4.  Shinya Nakano     Honda     (B)  1:58.228  + 0.997
 5.  Alex de Angelis   Honda     (B)  1:58.264  + 1.033
 6.  Chris Vermeulen   Suzuki    (B)  1:58.462  + 1.231
 7.  Colin Edwards     Yamaha    (M)  1:58.672  + 1.441
 8.  John Hopkins      Kawasaki  (B)  1:58.830  + 1.599
 9.  Toni Elias        Ducati    (B)  1:58.881  + 1.650
10.  Sylvain Guintoli  Ducati    (B)  1:58.923  + 1.692
11.  Jorge Lorenzo     Yamaha    (M)  1:58.977  + 1.746
12.  Andrea Dovizioso  Honda     (M)  1:59.094  + 1.863
13.  James Toseland    Yamaha    (M)  1:59.328  + 2.097
14.  Randy de Puniet   Honda     (M)  1:59.405  + 2.174
15.  Marco Melandri    Ducati    (B)  1:59.943  + 2.712
16.  Dani Pedrosa      Honda     (M)  2:00.540  + 3.309
17.  Anthony West      Kawasaki  (B)  2:00.621  + 3.390