Stoner still on top in final session

Gresini Honda rider Simoncelli even edged ahead of Stoner (Honda) for a while in the closing minutes - having finally managed to match the Australian's peerless pace in the final sector.

But Stoner was able to produce a 2m03.487s lap with a few minutes to go to get back on top by 0.233 seconds over Simoncelli.

Three Yamahas completed the top five, with Ben Spies getting ahead of factory team-mate Jorge Lorenzo for third with his last lap.

Cal Crutchlow maintained his excellent home form with fifth for Tech 3, having been as high as second for a while.

His team-mate Colin Edwards also starred. After playing himself in gently yesterday as he got back on the bike following last week's collarbone-breaking accident in Spain, Edwards was up to speed today and took an encouraging 10th, having completed 14 laps.

Valentino Rossi continued to struggle at Silverstone in this session. The Ducati rider was down in 14th, 2.9s off the pace, and 1.2s and seven places behind his team-mate Nicky Hayden.

Cardion AB Ducati rider Karel Abraham had the only accident of the morning, sliding to the ground at the second corner on his opening lap. He was unhurt and soon rejoined to take 12th.

Pos  Rider             Team/Bike      Time       Gap
 1.  Casey Stoner      Honda          2m03.487s
 2.  Marco Simoncelli  Gresini Honda  2m03.720s  + 0.233s
 3.  Ben Spies         Yamaha         2m03.942s  + 0.455s
 4.  Jorge Lorenzo     Yamaha         2m04.099s  + 0.612s
 5.  Cal Crutchlow     Tech 3 Yamaha  2m04.314s  + 0.827s
 6.  Andrea Dovizioso  Honda          2m04.372s  + 0.885s
 7.  Nicky Hayden      Ducati         2m05.250s  + 1.763s
 8.  Alvaro Bautista   Suzuki         2m05.496s  + 2.009s
 9.  Hiroshi Aoyama    Gresini Honda  2m05.570s  + 2.083s
10.  Colin Edwards     Tech 3 Yamaha  2m05.589s  + 2.102s
11.  Randy de Puniet   Pramac Ducati  2m05.780s  + 2.293s
12.  Karel Abraham     Cardion Ducati 2m05.872s  + 2.385s
13.  Hector Barbera    Aspar Ducati   2m05.980s  + 2.493s
14.  Valentino Rossi   Ducati         2m06.436s  + 2.949s
15.  Toni Elias        LCR Honda      2m06.727s  + 3.240s
16.  Loris Capirossi   Pramac Ducati  2m07.375s  + 3.888s