Stoner still on top in final session
Casey Stoner was quickest yet again in final practice for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, though Marco Simoncelli pushed him hard this time
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
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